Welcome to WAMP

The Wisconsin Association of Meat Processors

Made to Benefit You

We are a live-wire trade organization, which has the sole purpose of working for the benefit of meat processing firms throughout Wisconsin, as well as, the businesses that provide goods or services to the meat processing sector.

This association, with its enviable record of accomplishments, speaks effectively for independent meat plant operators in the regulatory agencies and in the state legislature. The association hosts an excellent convention and trade show annually in April with workshops, educational sessions, trade show and the WI Specialty Cured Meat Championships.

Our members include all meat processors. Although their businesses may vary greatly, WAMP members share a single conviction, they stand together to fight for the right to remain in business and to serve their customers. Our strength is our numbers.

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Our Story

Back in the late 30’s, processing plants in the Pacific Northwest hit upon the idea of furnishing private freezer storage boxes to their processing customers. Hand-built storage boxes called lockers were installed with lock and key in freezer rooms. Interest in the idea migrated to Wisconsin and local plants sprung up all over the state.

At that time, processors felt a need to promote their services and products and Farm Economics Professor Marvin Schaars was asked by the Ag School Dean to study and gather details about the meat industry. Professor Schaars then helped in the formation of the Wisconsin Frozen Food Locker Association and participated in the evolution of an annual convention – the first of several which was held at the Retlaw Hotel in Fond du Lac.

In the early 50’s, Bob Bray from the Department of Meat and Animal Science became a regular consultant and was the developer and “godfather” of the now famous cured meats products show – the first of which was held at the Mead Hotel in Wisconsin Rapids. The association soon outgrew the facilities at the Mead and conventions were then held in Milwaukee, Wausau, Eau Claire, Madison, Oconomowoc, and Lake Geneva. Because of Bob Bray, we have over the years always had a meat lab staff member to act as an advisor to our association. The advisor writes a regular column for our bi-monthly newsletter and plays an important role in setting up our conventions, our product show, workshops, and state fair booth.

With the declining business in frozen food lockers and with the advent of home freezers, the name of the association was changed to Wisconsin Association of Meat Processors and incorporated in 1945.