USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced USDA is making available $215 million in grants to expand meat and poultry processing options, strengthen the food supply chain and create jobs and economic opportunities in rural areas.
USDA Rural Development will make $150 million in grants available through the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program to fund startup and expansion activities in the meat and poultry processing sector. USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture will provide another $40 million for workforce development and training. The Agricultural Marketing Service will provide $25 million to offer technical assistance to grant applicants and others seeking meat and poultry processing resources.
“For too long, ranchers and processors have seen the value and the opportunities they work so hard to create move away from the rural communities where they live and operate,” Vilsack said in a statement.
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) said in a statement it appreciates the Biden administration’s efforts and looks forward to working toward the implementation of the funds.
“The expansion of regional processing facilities will bolster resiliency within the beef supply chain and help return marketing leverage to cattle producers,” said NCBA Director of Government Affairs and Market Regulatory Policy Tanner Beymer.
