The North American Meat Processors Association (NAMP) is an industry group for meat processors, packers, and distributors. It is a nonprofit, membership-based group with significant presence in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean. Its Executive Director is Phil Kimball. The Executive Committee includes John DeBenedetti, Chairman of Del Monte Meat Company (U.S.); Brent Cator, President of Cardinal Meat Specialists. Ltd (Canada); Mark Shuket, Vice President of Old World Provisions (U.S.); Michael Strauss, Treasurer of Colorado Boxed Beef Company (U.S.) and Gary Malenke, Assistant Treasurer of Sioux-Preme Pork Products (U.S.).
NAMP is concerned with meat industry issues including nutrition, safety and hygiene, government and regulatory affairs, and standardization. It sponsors an annual convention, an annual business conference, regional meetings, and training programs. It was founded in 1942 and is headquartered in Reston, Virginia.
Primary membership is limited to firms actively involved in processing meat, including poultry, seafood, and game. Associate membership is available to suppliers to meat processors.
NAMP is best known, however, for The Meat Buyer's Guide, intended for butchers and commercial meat purchasers, which is a recognized reference for cutting and grading meat. It is published annually. NAMP maintains a standard numbering system for cuts of meat.
The Meat Buyer's Guide (John Wiley & Sons, 2004) ISBN 0-471-69625-0