Plants which _________ meat are marked by an offensive odor and are often far from people and towns.

Plants that render meat typically refer to facilities that convert animal by-products into usable forms, such as fats and proteins, through a process that usually involves heating and separating components. The rendering process can generate strong odors due to the breakdown of fats and proteins, which is why these facilities are often located far from populated areas. The offensive smell can be attributed to the nature of the materials being processed, including the preservation and cooking of animal wastes and parts that humans do not typically consume.

The other terms, while relevant in food production contexts, do not convey the same implications of strong odors and processing by-products. Processing meat generally refers to various methods of preparation for consumption, cooking is strictly about heat application to food, and fabricating refers to cutting meat into primal or retail cuts, which does not inherently involve the types of odors associated with rendering processes.