The Strengthening Local Meat Economies Act of 2023 requires the Department of Agriculture to significantly increase its purchases of meat and poultry from small processors, starting with at least $50 million in the first year and reaching a permanent 20 percent minimum threshold in subsequent years. Small processors are defined as those employing fewer than 150 full-time employees or processing less than one million pounds of product per month. To facilitate these purchases, the bill mandates creation of a digital livestock exchange platform where small producers and processors can access federal procurement contracts and conduct online bidding. The legislation also requires the government to pay fair market prices that account for product quality attributes and prioritizes purchases from businesses owned by beginning farmers, socially disadvantaged farmers, veterans, and those using local supply chains within 250 miles. The Department of Agriculture receives authorization to spend up to $2 million to develop the platform and must dedicate at least $35 million annually to these procurement requirements.