Oregon’s Local Meat Inspection Program Seeks Expanded Support to Ensure Sustainability
Oregon’s local meat inspection program, launched in 2022, faces a crucial funding challenge that could impact small-scale meat producers and the availability of local meat.
The program, designed to allow state-inspected facilities to sell directly to Oregon consumers, received an initial $10 million investment aimed at expanding equipment and processing capacity.
However, as state agriculture officials and advocates stress, the program lacks sufficient funding to staff inspectors needed for sustainable operation.
Currently, Oregon’s Department of Agriculture has only two inspectors overseeing the program, which contrasts sharply with other food safety programs where inspections occur annually rather than at every instance of processing.
This staffing shortage affects small farmers who rely on timely processing slots to deliver quality products.
Alice Morrison, co-director of Friends of Family Farmers, highlights the risk this poses to producers who depend on the program to avoid bottlenecks associated with Oregon’s limited USDA-certified processing facilities.
The lack of inspectors has led Morrison’s group to propose new legislation for the 2025 session, requesting up to 80 staff hours per week to sustain the program.
Unlike other inspection-based programs, where inspections occur periodically, meat processing requires an inspector’s presence each time an animal is slaughtered, creating a significant logistical and financial strain without dedicated personnel.
Advocates argue that a strong local processing infrastructure would reduce Oregon’s dependence on the country’s major meat producers—companies like Tyson, Cargill, Marfrig, and JBS that dominate roughly 75% of the market.
Livestock farmer Mike Guebert emphasizes the benefits of localized processing, noting that a more resilient, self-sustaining food system would bolster Oregon’s food security and provide fresh, locally raised meat to the community.
Without sufficient funding for inspection staff, however, the program could face setbacks that limit its reach and impact.
If passed, the new funding request would allow the Oregon Department of Agriculture to expand inspection availability and potentially accommodate part-time or seasonal inspectors, enabling the program to better support local producers year-round.
Want to learn more about local meat programs and their role in community food security? Head to our homepage for the latest on meat inspection efforts.
