BAV Expands Local Meat Processing Support Program
GREAT BARRINGTON — Berkshire Agricultural Ventures (BAV) announced two milestones in its mission to bolster the regional food supply chain.
The opening of the BAV/AgriForaging Food Safety Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) Hotline and a visit by the USDA to both Plymouth Meats, a regional meat processor in Terryville, Conn, and to BAV's headquarters in Great Barrington, showcased the organization's commitment to promoting sustainable and resilient meat processing practices across the Berkshire-Taconic region; just one portion of BAV's work towards bolstering the local food economy.
BAV has partnered with AgriForaging Food Safety to introduce the AgriForaging Food Safety HACCP Hotline. This initiative is part of the Local Meat Processing Support Program, which strives to provide guidance and support for meat and poultry processors across the region.
This dedicated hotline is open every Thursday from noon to 4 PM, offering industry experts' insights into state and federal meat and poultry compliance regulations, as well as HACCP principles. The hotline is committed to providing personalized solutions for a wide range of compliance questions, ensuring peace of mind for local processors as they navigate the complexities of food safety regulations. For more information or to schedule a call, visit https://www.
Berkshire Agricultural Ventures was recently featured as a success story by the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development (USDA RD) Office.
The USDA RD visit to Plymouth Meats follows BAV's recent award of a USDA Rural Development Meat and Poultry Intermediary Relending Program Grant in the amount of $630,000. This critical investment empowers BAV to be able to offer critical financing and technical support to help hundreds of local farms in rural Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York.
