U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced in late June that the USDA is making investments to increase independent meat and poultry processing capacity, expand market opportunities for farmers and support a growing workforce in rural areas.
The USDA is providing 15 awards totaling $115 million in 17 states. Five awards totaling $38 million through the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP) will be awarded to help independent processors in five states. The USDA is also providing 10 awards totaling $77 million under the Meat and Poultry Intermediary Lending Program (MPILP) in 12 states.
On the same day as the independent meat processing investments, the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded $4.5 million to community and technical colleges in seven states for training meat plant workers.
“USDA is committed to championing meat and poultry processors, increasing competition, and lowering costs for working families,” said Vilsack during a visit to Iowa. “While American farmers and ranchers have been responding to the demand to produce more, their communities have struggled to see their share of the benefits.”
About Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP)
The Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP), made possible by American Rescue Plan Act funding, provides grants to help eligible independent processors expand their capacity. USDA Rural Development designed the MPPEP to encourage competition and sustainable growth in the U.S. meat processing sector, and to help improve supply chain resiliency. To date in fiscal year 2023, USDA has awarded $171 million to 31 MPPEP projects that have created nearly 3,000 jobs in rural communities.
About Meat and Poultry Intermediary Lending Program (MPILP)
The Meat and Poultry Intermediary Lending Program (MPILP) provides grant funding to intermediary lenders who finance the start-up, expansion, or operation of independent meat and poultry processing facilities. The objective of the MPILP is to strengthen the financing capacity for independent meat processors, and to create a more resilient, diverse, and secure U.S. food supply chain. To date in fiscal year 2023, USDA has awarded $186 million to 24 MPILP projects that supported economic growth in 14 states and Puerto Rico.
