Schenker Family Farms Incorporated

Schenker Family Farms Incorporated is a for-profit, woman-owned and veteran-owned small business located in McCune, Kansas, with a focus on meat production and processing. The company raises beef, hogs, and chicken, and specializes in creating value-added meat products such as ready-to-heat/eat meals including enchiladas, chicken pot pies, and regional specialty dishes. They currently sell their products through direct consumer channels like online markets, farmers' markets, and a subscription-based delivery service, with limited retail presence in the Kansas City market, including being an approved supplier to Whole Foods Market and Nature's Pantry.

Through federal grant awards, Schenker Family Farms has received funding from multiple agricultural agencies to support business development and expansion. The Agricultural Marketing Service provided two significant grants: a COVID-19 relief grant (AM22PRSKS1528) to support workplace safety and operational costs during the pandemic, and a Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grant (21MPIRGKS1100) for $194,970.69 to improve food safety and expand distribution capabilities. The grant funds are being used to obtain USDA inspection approval, develop a comprehensive food safety plan, purchase packaging and labeling equipment, and make facility improvements to cold storage and loading areas. Additionally, they received a LAMP Value Added Producer Grant from Rural Business Cooperative Services and have a pending sub-grant from the Kansas Department of Agriculture focused on increasing capacity to aggregate and distribute produce and baked goods in Southeast Kansas. These grants demonstrate the company's strategic approach to growing their business and improving operational capabilities.