USDA to allocate $215 million to expand meat and poultry processing

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack yesterday announced that the USDA is providing up to $215 million in grants and other support to expand meat and poultry processing capabilities, strengthen the food supply chain, and create jobs and economic opportunities. in rural areas. 

The new bailout package is one of many actions the USDA is taking to expand processing capacity and increase competition in meat and poultry processing.

Vilsack said, “Under the leadership of President Biden and Vice President Harris, the USDA is committed to investing in support of economies where wealth created in rural areas stays in rural areas. The funding we are announcing today will ultimately help us strengthen our supply chains as well as develop food delivery options.”

USDA Rural Development will provide $150 million in grants to fund the start-up and expansion of activities in the meat and poultry processing sector. The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) will provide an additional $40 million for staff development and training, and the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will provide $25 million to provide technical assistance to grant applicants and others seeking resources related to meat and poultry processing. .

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is providing $150 million through the American Rescue Plan Act under the Meat and Poultry Expansion Program (MPPEP). The USDA is offering grants of up to $25 million each to expand processing capacity through a variety of activities, including but not limited to construction, expansion of existing facilities, and acquisition of equipment.