As Western NY SEES Record HIGH Grocery Costs, Schumer Announces Landmark Legislation to Break UP the Meatpacking Monopolies, HELP Farmers, and Drive DOWN COST of MEAT for Families

Schumer Says Four Corporate Giants Dominate Meat Market, Squeezing Farmers And Ranchers Who Keep Just 16 Cents Of Every Dollar Spent On Food, And Rigging The System Against WNY Families New Schumer Bill Will Break Up Big Monopolies In Meat Packing That Lead To Higher Prices And Restore Real Competition To Lowering Costs Schumer: New Bill Will Bring Down Costs For Families At The Grocery Store As Western New Yorkers face some of the fastest price growth for groceries in the country, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer today stood with Western New York farmers and families at the beloved Niagara Sausage Company to introduce the Family Grocery and Farmer Relief Act . The Senator’s new landmark legislation would break up the big meat monopolies, boost farmers Upstate, and lower grocery costs for families. “The meatpacking monopoly is driving up costs for Western New Yorkers at the grocery store and rigging the game against local farmers. Corporate giants dominate the meat market and set prices sky-high for families, all while squeezing profits from farmers by eliminating competition, and it needs to end,” said Senator Schumer. “That’s why I’m introducing legislation – the Family Grocery and Farmer Relief Act – to break up the monopoly and lower costs. This bill is centered around making groceries more affordable, making farmers more profitable, and putting the needs of working middle-class people ahead of the interests of powerful corporations. Local businesses like Niagara Sausage Company are the backbone of communities; they love their customers and want prices to be affordable, and they get hurt by big corporations and suppliers rigging the game against consumers. America’s economy and our Main Streets are stronger when costs are lower and we have true competition, and this bill will do exactly that.” Recent reporting shows that families in the Buffalo area are spending some of the most on groceries in the country. Families in Buffalo spend the eighth largest percentage of their income on groceries in an analysis of 100 of the largest American cities. According to analysis from the Urban Institute , New York’s 26 th Congressional District, which covers parts of Erie and Niagara Counties, has experienced some of the fastest price growth for groceries in the country in the past ten years. Grocery prices have increased from $758.95 to $1,149.02 each month, a whopping more than 50% increase. Schumer explained that a major driver of high meat prices is a food system rigged in favor of corporate monopolies. Four companies, Tyson Foods, JBS, Cargill, and National Beef, control 85% of the beef market, 67% of the pork market, and 60% of the chicken market. Schumer’s Family Grocery and Farmer Relief Act is a competition-driven, pro-farmer, pro-rancher, pro-worker, pro-consumer, cost-of-living bill that breaks up dominant meatpackers and uses all available tools to stop unfair pricing that drives up grocery bills for American families. The bill would force the biggest meatpackers to choose a line of business instead of dominating beef, pork, and chicken all at once, and aims to provide financial and technical assistance to farmers’ cooperatives and small businesses that seek to acquire, operate, or expand meatpacking plants or facilities, helping make more local supply chains to lower costs. In addition, to directing the FTC to go after foreign-controlled conglomerates that squeeze American producers and distort U.S. markets. “We appreciate Senator Schumer’s relentless advocacy as it pertains to affordability, especially for many hard-working residents in the City of Niagara Falls who are trying to make ends meet at a time when costs for everything seemingly continues to increase with no end in sight,” said Niagara Falls Mayor Robert Restaino . “At the same time, the agricultural sector is vital to the economic well-being of Niagara County and it’s important that the City demonstrates its support on issues that bolster and protect our rural communities from economic harm.” Niagara Sausage Company owner Mike Greenawalt said, “At Niagara Sausage Company, we live the reality behind rising grocery prices every single day—both as a small business and as members of this community. The cost of meat, spices, packaging, utilities, and transportation has increased significantly over the past few years. These aren’t abstract numbers to us—they directly impact how we operate and what we’re able to offer our customers. For our customers, higher grocery prices are not a “hoax.” They’re a real and daily concern. We see it in conversations at the counter, in families making tougher choices, and in our own efforts to keep prices as fair and accessible as possible without compromising quality. As a small, local shop, we don’t have the buying power of large corporate chains. Every increase from suppliers forces difficult decisions. We’ve worked hard to absorb as much of these costs as we can, because we know our customers depend on us for quality products at honest prices. We believe it’s important to acknowledge what people are experiencing. Food affordability matters. Supporting local businesses matters. And having honest conversations about the challenges facing both consumers and small businesses matters. We remain committed to serving our community with transparency, quality, and integrity—and we thank our customers for continuing to support local.” “We have known for years that the number and capacity of slaughter facilities has been a significant bottleneck to the emerging livestock businesses across New York. It’s incredibly encouraging to see Senator Schumer showcase leadership on this issue. Anything that can increase competition, streamline regulatory burdens, and improve availability will really drive growth, as well as consumer value for local protein,” said Mark Russell, President of Niagara County Farm Bureau “Every day at Community Missions, we see the impact of the food insecurity that Western New Yorkers are experiencing, “ said Robyn L. Krueger, President & CEO Community Missions. “We are grateful of Senator Schumer’s action in introducing the Family Grocery and Farmer Relief Act. Increasing grocery prices is a concern for all of us, and especially for everyone that our organization serves. We appreciate that Sen. Schumer is fighting for the thousands of individuals that we serve, while also working to strengthen our local agricultural economy.” “At Becken Farms in Sanborn, we have seen firsthand how consolidation in the meatpacking industry has made it harder for small, family-run farms to compete and get a fair price for our cattle,” said owner William Ziemendorf. “ When only a few buyers show up at auction, competition dries up, which hurts farmers as much as it drives up prices for consumers at the grocery store. At the same time, the shortage of USDA certified processing facilities in our region makes it difficult to meet growing demand for customers who want to buy local. For that reason, we are grateful to Sen. Schumer for leading the Family Grocery and Farmer Relief Act. By investing in local processing capacity, encouraging competition, and helping level the playing field, this legislation has the potential to strengthen farms like Becken, support local butchers, and deliver real relief for families across Western New York.” ###