MINNEAPOLIS — Lakes Community Cooperative, a meat processing plant in Perham, Minn., is receiving a $530,000 grant to double its processing capacity. The co-op provides its member owners with multi-species processing services.

Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) announced the funding on Sept. 23.

“A strong meat processing industry is critical to maintaining a stable economy in Minnesota, especially for Minnesota’s farmers,” Smith said. “By doubling the capacity of coops like Lakes Community Cooperative, producers will have another processing option. This helps farmers get a fair value for animals and also helps keep prices down for consumers at the grocery story.”

Klobuchar and Smith believe raising competition by supporting smaller, locally owned processing facilities like Lakes Community Cooperative will help lower costs for consumers.

Currently, four large meat processors control 85% of the beef market, the senators said. They added that the top four poultry processing companies control 54%, and the top four pork processing companies control 70%.