Glen Meats Invests in USDA Certification, Boosting Processing Capacity and Local Jobs in Rural Minnesota

“I do get asked a lot, ‘Is it local? Is it local?’” said Jason Plekkenpol, owner of Glen Meats in Aitkin County. “And it’s like, well, it’s as local as I can get right now.” 

Since 2015, Jason and his father, Wayne, have operated Glen Meats in Glen, Minnesota—just a few miles north of Mille Lacs Lake. The shop offers custom meat processing for area farmers and a retail space serving both the local community and seasonal cabin visitors. 

For Jason, filling his display case with truly local meat means more ready-for-consumer products from local farmers and, in turn, more year-round, full-time jobs at Glen Meats. But to make that happen, he needs to be certified by the USDA. 

Growing Capacity to Support Local Farmers and Full-Time Staff

Glen Meats serves a wide range of clients—from hobby farmers down the road to larger cattle producers seeking a reliable, nearby processor. 

“I had a customer come in and ask again if I was going USDA,” said Jason. “They had enough animals that would keep me busy on a regular basis, and it seemed like it might be worth it.” 

Jason did the math. Processing 5–7 cattle per week for just that one client could allow him to hire a couple more employees—and avoid the winter layoffs that have historically created staffing instability.  

“There’ve been times in the past I've had to let people off for that time,” said Jason. “And then some people don't come back, which means then you have a lot of retraining to do. So to me, it seemed like an opportunity to keep people here full time.” 

Overcoming the Hurdles of Certification and Developing a Plan

Getting USDA certified meant developing a Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan—a complicated, highly regulated process designed to ensure food safety.  

In order to meet those standards, it also meant investing in new equipment, most importantly a septic system upgrade, a minor remodel for proper room cooling, and a new labeling system to more accurately track batches. 

To meet these needs, Jason’s bank referred him to the Entrepreneur Fund (EFund). 

How EFund Supported Glen Meats' USDA Certification

The EFund team and senior loan officer Mike Korte worked closely with Jason to finance the equipment upgrades needed for USDA certification requirements, in addition to a new, much larger vacuum sealer. EFund also connected him with a marketing consultant to build a website and expand his business’s reach. 

“Anything in this industry is not cheap,” said Jason. “Mike heard what I needed and said, ‘We can do this option,’ or ‘Give me this info and I’ll run with it.’ It’s been really easy for me—stress-free.” 

Mike added, “It was about sharing the plan and making sure the outcomes matched the vision. We wanted it to be a win-win, and it’s been a great partnership.” 

The Potential Outcome: Business Growth & Regional Impact 

With USDA certification well underway, Jason is preparing to process five more head of cattle per week and hire at least three new full-time employees—creating year-round stability for his business and team. 

The USDA certification will also open up opportunities for local farmers. Those who choose USDA inspection can sell their meat across state lines, expanding their markets. For smaller farmers who aren’t interested in selling nationwide, Jason said that having USDA or equal to inspection will allow him to purchase their product and feature it in his display case—giving his farmers a dependable local outlet and providing his retail customers with locally sourced meat. 

“If you have big ideas, it's not going to come easy,” said Jason, sharing advice for fellow entrepreneurs in the local food system. “You’ve got to work for it.” 

Looking to Grow Your Food Business? 

If you're an independent grocer, convenience store owner, or food producer looking for financing and expert guidance, we’d love to talk with you about our Healthy Food Fund. Fill out the form below to ask about our rates and eligibility for this specialized fund designed just for you.

Let’s connect and see if our Healthy Food Fund can help move your business forward—just like it did for Jason and his team at Glen Meats.