Tag: meat producer

Interested in starting a meat processing business? Whether you’re early in your research, planning to open a new plant, or expanding an existing operation, explore our blog for practical information, real-world guidance, and stories of hardworking Americans who are getting after it.

At Friesla, we’re helping farmers, ranchers, and entrepreneurs build independent meat processing businesses in communities across the country. Explore our resources on starting a meat processing business, the basics of meat processing, USDA inspection requirements, available grants and funding opportunities, and other practical information on building and running a successful operation.


Butchers fabricate and breakdown beef carcasses on polytop cutting tables in their Friesla Breaking Module.

Client Story: Harrison Harvesting

“COVID shined a light on how we had neglected our food chain, and it also shined a light on where our whole [meat processing] system…

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Butcher pulling the hide from a beef carcass in a Friesla Harvest Module.

Waste Management Options for Small Meat Processing Facilities

Effective meat processing waste management is a critical part of any small meat processing operation, whether you’re operating a Friesla Mobile or Modular System, a…

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Butcher places finished cuts of meat onto tray for display in meat case.

Investing in Local Meat Processing: Impact, Opportunity & Income Diversification

Local meat processing has gained attention in recent years partially because of backlogs during COVID, but also because it is recognized as a cornerstone of…

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Friesla’s Founder & President interacting with Butcher Solutions’ Owner inside Friesla’s manufacturing facility.

Partner Story: Sierra Jepsen, Butcher Solutions

“Before COVID, you could call your local butcher and get a harvest slot the next week. But now you need to call a year in…

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Butcher spraying down a hanging sheep carcass after skinning in a Mobile Harvest Unit.

Handling Wastewater in a Small Meat Processing Plant

Meat harvest, fabrication, packaging, and sanitization generates waste byproducts: from bones to blood, heads, hides, inedibles, offal, and wastewater. In another blog post, we covered…

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A cast iron pot full of beef bones and an opened jar of spice rub.

Creating Value-Added Products from Waste in Small Meat Processing Facilities

If you’ve considered starting a local meat processing business, you’ve likely thought, “But what will I do with all of the waste?” Rendering—the process of…

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A butcher cuts filet mignon steaks from the tenderloin of a beef carcass.

Where Does Beef Come From? Part 2: Processing & Distribution

In Part 1, we went through how beef is raised and finished, but what happens after that? We’re glad you asked, because while we’re deeply…

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Where Does Beef Come From? Part 1: Breeding, Raising & Finishing

In the United States, the beef production process starts on farms and ranches across the country. How does that beef get from pasture to plate—or…

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Butchers transfer quartered beef carcasses from a Friesla Mobile Harvest Unit into The Meating Place Butcher Shop.

Client Story: The Meating Place

The Meating Place is helping bring back the tradition of independent butcher shops that were once staples in communities across America. Consumers had access to…

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Owner of Harrison Harvesting easing a cow out of a livestock trailer into the meat processing facilities livestock pen system.

Why Meat Processors Need A Robust Humane Handling Program

Animal welfare is a hot topic in today’s agricultural economy—and for good reason. Humane animal handling is a moral venture and carries high cultural expectations:…

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