As the meat processing industry faces evolving consumer demands and regulatory challenges, the Wisconsin Association of Meat Processors is doubling down on its commitment to industry advocacy and strategic growth.
With the industry seeing a surge in demand for “value-added” products like snack sticks and jerky, WAMP is working to ensure that its members stay competitive, says President Tim Brueggen. The association has recently formalized its focus on government affairs at both the state and federal levels.
“A lot of laws come down from the state and federal level, so it’s good to be, as an industry person, it’s good to be the one pushing for those laws, have us design our own laws instead of government people that don’t work in the industry doing it,” says Brueggen, owner of Falls Meat Service in Pigeon Falls.
Beyond policy, the association remains a cornerstone of the regional economy, fostering a collaborative environment where competitors share expertise, from equipment operation to smokehouse techniques. This spirit of camaraderie has helped the state’s processors navigate shifting market trends, such as the increased consumer interest in “buy local” initiatives that took root during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As the association looks toward the future, the board is focused on expanding membership and implementing new marketing strategies to elevate the industry as a whole.
“We always work on value-added, that’s kind of our term, is with all of our members, we want to make sure that they have a good reason to be members and we want the organization to give them benefits and, you know, make it worth their time to be here,” Brueggen says.
With a new generation of leaders now joining the board, WAMP aims to continue its trajectory of growth.
