News & Press Releases
Trust, Taste, and Transparency: A Conversation on What Really Drives Meat Demand
In a world of evolving consumer values and purchasing habits, understanding the drivers behind food choices is more critical than ever for the meat industry. What factors shape consumer decisions? How does trust influence what ends up in their shopping carts? This piece delves into these questions and more through an exclusive conversation between Lori Rakoczy, an Associate Principal at Technomic, a leader in food industry research, and Glynn Tonsor, a renowned Professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics at Kansas State University.
Meat Institute: MAHA Strategy Elevates Role of Food & Nutrition for Healthy Children
The Meat Institute today said the “Make Our Children Healthy Again Strategy” offers sweeping reforms establishing the importance of food and nutrition in the health of the nation’s children and is a good first step towards recognizing the nutritional value of meat and poultry after years of misguided policies attacking meat consumption.
Meat Institute: EPA Provides Regulatory Relief to Meat & Poultry Companies;
Protects Consumers, Farmers & Ranchers
Protects Consumers, Farmers & Ranchers
The Meat Institute today applauded President Donald Trump’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for stopping costly changes to wastewater regulations that would have closed meat and poultry processing facilities, driving up the cost of food, killing jobs and hurting rural economies.
Meat Institute Applauds HHS/Department of Education Effort to Emphasize Nutrition in Medical Education
The Meat Institute today applauded the announcement from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Education urging America’s leading medical education organizations to provide more comprehensive nutrition education and training.
Meet the Voice Behind the Protein PACT Solutions Summit, Sarah Bohnenkamp, our 2025 Emcee
We’re thrilled to introduce Sarah J. Bohnenkamp as the emcee of the 2025 Protein PACT Solutions Summit, taking place October 8-10 in Los Angeles. With her dynamic presence and passion for leadership, Sarah will serve as the connective tissue of this year's event—guiding attendees through a cohesive, high-impact experience that bridges ideas and action.
Meat Institute Welcomes 2025 Summer Interns
The Meat Institute is excited to welcome four outstanding interns – Alexa Bodor, Presley Brashears, Alli Measer, and Naz Worpel -- to its team during the summer of 2025. These interns support key departments across the organization, contributing their energy and expertise to the Meat Institute's work on policy, sustainability, and member engagement.
Meat Institute Elects New Chairman: Peter Bozzo of Michael’s Finer Meats and Seafoods; Selects Meat PAC Co-Chairs
The Meat Institute’s Executive Board elected Peter Bozzo, Executive Vice President of Michael’s Finer Meats and Seafoods to serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors to replace former Board Chairman Jim Snee who retires as CEO and President of Hormel Foods.
Meat Institute Applauds Nomination of Julie Callahan to be the USTR Chief Agriculture Negotiator
The Meat Institute today applauded the nomination of Julie Callahan to be the US Trade Representative (USTR) Chief Negotiator for Agriculture.
Meat Institute & Meat Foundation Provide Updated Resource for Understanding Meat Processing
As policymakers seek to define ultra-processed foods, review ingredients used in food processing and determine a strategy to improve the health of children, the Meat Institute and the Meat Foundation today released an updated “Guide to Meat Processing” to increase understanding of meat production and the unique nature of the ingredients and processes used to make nutrient dense meat and poultry.
Meat Institute Applauds USDA Secretary Rollins’ Key Investment in Food Safety as Industry Launches New Focus on Food Safety for Executives
Following today’s announcement by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins of increased investment in food safety at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Meat Institute applauded her leadership and announced a new industry driven focus on food safety at the senior executive level.
Meat Institute Calls for Processors to be Included in Agriculture Worker Solutions
The Meat Institute today called for the processing sector, a critical part of the meat and poultry supply chain, to be included in the Trump Administration’s plans for a stable and legal agriculture workforce.
Meat Institute Applauds Senate Confirmation of Stephen Vaden to be Deputy Secretary of Agriculture
The Meat Institute today released the following statement regarding the Senate confirmation of Judge Stephen Vaden to be Deputy Secretary of Agriculture.
Meat Institute: Reconciliation Tax Relief Critical to Meat and Poultry Companies
The Meat Institute today urged Members of Congress to approve a reconciliation bill to bring certainty to the US economy and to protect tax relief for meat and poultry companies.
Meat Institute and American Meat Science Association Offer a Training Resource to Support New Swine Inspection System Implementation
Arlington, VA – The Meat Institute, in collaboration with the American Meat Science Association (AMSA), has assembled a practical training guide to support effective implementation of the USDA’s New Swine Inspection System (NSIS). This new resource is designed to enhance in-plant training and provide consistent, science-based guidance—particularly for sorting decisions.
Created in direct response to feedback from establishments and industry partners, the guide features real-world examples, clear explanations, and condition-specific imagery to improve accuracy and confidence in decision-making.
Meat Institute Hires Jesse Fulton as Director of Animal Health and Welfare
WASHINGTON, DC – The Meat Institute today announced it has hired Jesse Fulton, M.S. to serve as the director of animal health and welfare.
“Jesse Fulton is an excellent addition to the Meat Institute staff, bringing a wealth of knowledge in the field of animal science and real-world experience working for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance program,” said Meat Institute President and CEO Julie Anna Potts. “Jesse oversees our Animal Welfare Guidelines and Audit, as well as key policies and standards that ensure the industry is continuously improving in the areas of animal health, handling and care.”
Meat Institute Recognizes 2024 Environmental, Worker Safety and Health & Wellness Award Winners
The Meat Institute recognized more than 200 meat and poultry facilities at the 2025 Environmental, Labor and Safety+ Conference in Charlotte, NC for leading the industry in continuous improvement in the areas of environment, worker safety and health and wellness.
Sales at record high, Americans view meat as part of a healthy, balanced lifestyle Power of Meat analysis marks 20th anniversary at Annual Meat Conference
Meat sales hit a record high of $104.6 billion in 2024, pounds sold increased 2.3% compared to 2023, and consumers, on average, purchase meat more than once per week (Circana) - keeping meat the largest fresh department in grocery, according to the 20th annual Power of Meat report released today at the Annual Meat Conference by the Meat Institute and FMI—The Food Industry Association.
Meat Institute: USDA Secretary Rollins Acts Swiftly to Bring Certainty, Innovation to Pork & Poultry Processing
The Meat Institute today said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) Brooke Rollins acted swiftly to extend waivers allowing pork and poultry processors to operate at higher line speeds allowing for efficiency and providing certainty to the entire meat and poultry supply chain. For more on the announcement go here.
Meat Institute to USTR: Remove Non-Tariff Barriers to Trade and Open New Markets
WASHINGTON, DC – The Meat Institute today called for the removal of non-tariff barriers to trade and for access to new markets for meat and poultry products. The comments were submitted in response to the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer’s request for comments on unfair trade practices and non-reciprocal trade arrangements.
Meat Institute Applauds President Trump’s Negotiations to Pause Tariffs with Mexico and Canada
WASHINGTON, DC – The Meat Institute today applauded President Trump’s negotiations to delay tariffs on Canada and Mexico, critical markets for the U.S. meat and poultry industry.
“The North American integrated meat and poultry supply chain, made possible by President Trump’s USMCA, produces the highest quality meat products in the world,” said Meat Institute President and CEO Julie Anna Potts. “The US exported $5.3 billion of meat and poultry products to Mexico and $2.28 billion to Canada in 2024. These are real dollars for livestock producers and the US economy. We appreciate President Trump’s negotiations with Mexico and Canada to keep these key markets open and prevent possible price hikes for consumers.”
