Valley Natural Meats processing plant site 
Valley Natural Foods is making meat a priority with its investment in meat processing. 
 

NORTHFIELD, Minn. – Valley Natural Foods, a supplier of local, organic and natural food products in Minnesota, plans to invest $2 million in a wholesale meat processing business called Valley Natural Meats in Northfield.

The company plans to build a 4,400-sq.-ft. MDA and organic-certified meat processing plant and a 4,000-sq.-ft. holding barn on 16 acres of land the company purchased, along with a building which will be retrofitted to process 25 head of cattle and hogs per day. Valley Natural expects to begin construction on the facility in August with completion set for November.

“Our new processing facility will be different from most smaller, niche plants in that it will process naturally and humanely raised, grass and organic-grain fed, locally produced meats, and will be one of a few certified, organic multi-species beef and meat processors in the entire state,” Jason Harstad, CEO of Valley Natural Meats, said in a statement.

The Valley Natural plant also will manufacture specialty and smoked cured meats, jerky, hams and sausages for wholesale and retail customers.

A second development phase is planned for 2017 and will include attaining certification to sell products outside Minnesota, and lamb and goat processing capabilities. By 2018, Valley Natural plans to start processing deer and bison.