The 2022 Session of the General Assembly directed the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) to draft a five-year strategic plan to achieve an increase in the total combined throughput capacity of inspected slaughter and meat-processing facilities in the Commonwealth.  VDACS found that meat production, processing, and marketing in the state reflect Virginia’s diverse agricultural industry. Livestock producers use a variety of direct and indirect marketing channels to meet the needs of their customers, and all benefit from Virginia’s mix of custom and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)-inspected meat processing facilities.  Since most inspected processors also offer custom services, increases in the capacity of either type of facility will benefit producers and achieve the goals of this strategic plan.  Despite truly historic demand for meat processing services brought on by the pandemic, few new facilities have opened. Existing meat processors have generally not chosen to significantly expand their facilities or operating hours, primarily citing insufficient labor and the high costs and operational difficulties such expansions would create. To meaningfully improve meat processing capacity in the state, investments must be made in three areas:  (i) grant funding to support new and expanding facilities, such as through the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) Fund program; (ii) broad workforce development assistance; and (iii) the creation of a meat processing development specialist position at VDACS dedicated to assisting new and existing meat processors, developing workforce resources, and supporting industry best practices.