Who Are Our Members?

Regular Members are packers, processors and purveyors. They range from small plants with only five employees to the largest independents in the Southwest.

Associate Members are suppliers and service providers. They cover the spectrum of industry with every imaginable connection to the production of meat and/or meat products.

Affiliate Members are livestock producers, financial institutions or retail establishments.

Student Members are those who are majoring in Animal Science and wish to learn more as well as network with industry professionals.

International members are welcome.

What SMA offers:

• Networking Opportunities –SMA offers the opportunity to network with other in the industry to get ideas and information you know has been tested by experience.  SMA also provides opportunities to network with university scientists and other experts from many fields.
• Educational Programs – SMA offers a variety of training activities that allow members to stay abreast of the latest n processing technologies, product development, HACCP/SSOP implementation issues, and regulatory updates.  SMA works closely with universities and private entities to provide the best and most useful programs.
• Regulatory Assistance – SMA is a clearinghouse for information about scores of state and federal rules, regulations, and laws affecting meat processors on a daily basis.  Members receive frequent updates and advice for compliance with regulatory mandates.  SMA retains legal counsel in Washington D.C. for even the most difficult regulatory issues or crises.
• Membership Directory – Published annually, SMA’s membership directory is another tool for networking, advertising, developing potential client lists, sourcing supplies, ingredients, services, materials, and equipment.
• Information Services – SMA is an industry leader in timely, effective dissemination of news and information that impact meat processors.  Information is distributed via facsimile, email, Internet and postal service.   SMA publishes a weekly newsletter, along with daily e-mail news briefs, fax alerts and other updates to stay on top of the latest developments.
• Responsiveness – SMA provides outstanding leadership and prompt response for technical, regulatory and political issues, whether assisting members during crisis situations (e.g. recalls) or providing public comment and testimony on key rules and legislation.
• Annual Convention – For over 48 years, SMA has held its Annual Convention and Suppliers’ Showcase, providing members with outstanding technical programs featuring world-class speakers and offering an interactive forum to meet customers, peers, regulatory officials and other experts.
• International HACCP Alliance – SMA is a charter member of the International HACCP Alliance, serving on its Board of Directors.  The Alliance is dedicated to promoting international public health and food safety by facilitating uniform development and implementation of HACCP programs from farm to table.
• Member Discounts – Many SMA members are eligible to receive significant discounts on electricity costs through our alignment with a leading electricity aggregation firm.

SMA Facts:

• SMA was founded in 1957.
• Last year SMA awarded over $30,000 in scholarships to students pursuing educations in meat science, food science, or related fields in colleges and universities in the Southwest.
• SMA currently represents approximately 100 regular member and 100 associate member firms.
• SMA’s current Executive Director, Dr. Joe Harris, holds a Ph.D. in meat science from Texas A&M University and was recognized as one of the “Rising Stars” of the industry by Meat Processing magazine.  He also serves on the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture’s National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection and the Executive Committee of the International HACCP Alliance.

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