News

Local meat processor says ingredient access is tighter now than during the pandemic

Labor shortages and supply chain bottlenecks are keeping local meat processors from accessing essential products.

American Association of Meat Processors President Darla Kiesel tells Brownfield they are struggling to get paper materials, cardboard boxes, seasoning and spices.

“Trying to get these products to our facilities in a timely manner is, quite frankly, tougher now than what it was even during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

She says at that time packers purchased what had been stocked and now supply hasn’t caught back up.

“Recently we have had a struggle even trying to get in salt, and salt is typically the number one, two or three ingredient in products.”

She says the US doesn’t have the right climate to grow some of the ingredients for seasonings and suppliers have struggled to access those in a timely manner.   

Kiesel, who works for Dewig Meats in Haubstadt, Indiana also serves as Executive Secretary of the Indiana Meat Packers and Processors Association. Brownfield interviewed her during their joint convention with the Illinois Association of Meat Processors in Effingham, Illinois last week.