By Cooperative Development Institute, July 16, 2024
A new halal meat production and processing food system in Maine is one step closer to becoming a reality thanks to the support of CDI and new funding from the USDA Rural Development agency.
There are two components that are in the works to create this new halal meat food system in the state: 1) Developing a cooperative of local livestock producers and 2) building Maine’s first, exclusively halal-certified, USDA-regulated slaughter and processing facility.
In December 2023, the USDA awarded CDI $65,150 to help Five Pillars Butchery, an immigrant-owned business based in Unity, Maine, form a cooperative of local livestock growers, many of whom are BIPOC farmers. CDI used the funds to provide training and technical assistance including developing consistent pricing schedules to generate enough cash flow to grow and meet processing requirements, outreach to confirm state and federal food safety requirements, and working with a consultant called FarmSmart to conduct market and feasibility studies.
On July 11, 2024, the USDA Rural Development agency awarded Five Pillars Butchery $2.7 million to build a halal slaughter and processing facility in Unity to process the meat produced by the cooperative. The butchery estimates that the facility will process 20 cattle and up to 60 sheep and goats per week, once it is at full capacity.
Five Pillars Butchery expects to reach full capacity by 2028. Once at full capacity, they estimate that more than $2 million in sales will flow back to farmers in the cooperative. This growth will increase farmers’ ability to reinvest in farm infrastructure, hire more employees, and contribute to a viable and sustainable agricultural sector in Maine.
“This investment demonstrates the continued commitment USDA has made to build a better, more inclusive food system,” said USDA Rural Development Maine State Director Rhiannon Hampson. “We recognize that food is fundamental to creating ‘home’ for so many. This award helps us to be more welcoming to new neighbors, and to support generational Mainers in accessing culturally appropriate food and markets – a win all around for the state of Maine.”
“We are motivated to not only supply the Muslim and immigrant communities of Maine and Northern New England with quality local products, but we are happy to support regional farmers in gaining access to the rapidly growing halal food market, which has a projected growth rate of over $8 billion dollars by 2028. We see it as a win/win for both our community and Maine farmers,” said Kathryn Piper and Hussam Al-Rawi, owners of Five Pillars Butchery.
“Despite the recent growth of Muslim and other immigrant populations in the region, there are no local sources for these culturally relevant processed meat products,” said Katherine Bessey, Director of CDI’s Cooperative Business Services Program. “There is a need to develop an equitable local food production system in Maine that provides access to culturally relevant food, such as halal slaughtered meats. Maine farmers need a variety of tools to create a sustainable industry. By forming a cooperative to pool resources and expand markets, Maine’s farmers, producers, sellers, and consumers will all benefit.”
For media inquiries, please contact hholland@cdi.coop.