Wisconsin establishes speciality meat development centre

The new Specialty Meat Development Centre has been formed to assist Wisconsin-based meat processors grow their businesses.

Formed through a partnership between the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection and the state's meat-processing industry, the non-profit centre is intended to support the state's specialty meat processors in business development, product development, labeling and packaging, market development and food safety and quality.

Rod Nilsestuen, secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, said the centre will help find new markets, develop new cured and specialty meat products and provide training and market development support to meat processors.

This spring, the new centre is also expected to launch a two-year master meat crafter training programme that is affiliated with the University of Wisconsin-Madison.