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Kosher Meat Supply Crippled After Iowa Immigration Raid

Packing plant, now bankrupt, accounted 60% of US market

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 13, 2008 4:43 PM CST
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(Newser) – Kosher meat prices are skyrocketing after the Iowa packing plant that supplied about 60% of the US market declared bankruptcy, USA Today reports, in the wake of a May immigration raid. Agriprocessors, in trouble even before the raid, stopped operating last week. “Stores like mine are struggling all over,” said one deli owner, facing recent price hikes of 30%.

Pastrami aficionados aren’t the only ones feeling the pinch. “This town would be in a world of hurt if that plant closed,” one local said. Agriprocessors owes as much as a $100 million to creditors, but a state official says the raid wasn’t the cause. Almost 400 workers were detained in the raid, and the owners have been charged with thousands of labor violations.

Detained immigrant workers.
Detained immigrant workers.   (AP Photo)
The Agriprocessors kosher meat packing plant in Postville, Iowa.
The Agriprocessors kosher meat packing plant in Postville, Iowa.   (AP Photo)
A woman marches in support of immigration legislation and to call for an end to immigration raids Wednesday.
A woman marches in support of immigration legislation and to call for an end to immigration raids Wednesday.   (AP Photo)
Kosher meat is kept warm during the re-opening of the 2nd Avenue Deli in New York.
Kosher meat is kept warm during the re-opening of the 2nd Avenue Deli in New York.   (AP Photo)
Kosher personal chef Linda Berns. Most kosher meats have gone up between $2 and $3 a pound in the last year, said Berns.
Kosher personal chef Linda Berns. Most kosher meats have gone up between $2 and $3 a pound in the last year, said Berns.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
Newser001
Nov 13, 2008 7:44 PM CST
The problem here inlays the fact that AgriProcessors hasn't treated their employee's with respect or dignity, nor the animals who are NOT slaughtered under kosher laws, which clearly prohibit the animal from suffering. For more see: PetaTV.com http://getactive.peta.org/campaign/agriprocessors_investigation_2008

On Agriprocessors' dwindling fortunes
New York Times

The first of many mistakes: ignoring the SSA
Iowa Independent

On the future of Postville
Jewish Daily Forward

Money • US

 
Iowa • bankruptcy • meat • kosher • illegal immigration • raid • ICE • Agriprocessors Inc • financial crisis • packing plant • deli

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