Specific information is lacking on the nature of problems and barriers that cause difficulty or prevent small food and kindred products processors from expanding. The objective of this article is to provide an analysis of the specific problems and barriers encountered by small food and kindred products processors. Survey results provide data related to the characteristics of small food and kindred products processors, as well as specific problems faced by management of these businesses. Implications focus on both external (public policy) and internal (management) strategies.
Small food and kindred products processors are an important contributor in the US agribusiness complex. In 1982, small food and kindred products pro- cessors-employing less than 500 employees-accounted for 98% of all establishments, 73% of all employees, 69% of payroll, 69% of valued-added by manufacturing, and 72% of value of shipments in the food and kindred products processing industry. 1 Moreover, small food and kindred products processors can play an important role in a state's economic development plan. For example, retention and expansion literature suggests that existing businesses are very important in economic development. 2345Little is known about the problems and barriers encountered by small food and kindred products processors in the United States. Aggregate data on the general characteristics (e.g., employment, sales, and number of firms) of small food and Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Station Journal Article No. 1626.