USDA will provide up to $125 million for meat and poultry processing through two new grant programs.
The Indigenous Animals Harvesting and Meat Processing Grant Program and the Local Meat Capacity Grant Program are part of the $1 billion in funding appropriated by the American Rescue Plan to expand processing capacity for small and mid-sized processors. The Indigenous Animals Harvesting and Meat Processing Grant Program will provide up to $50 million in grants for developing and expanding value-added infrastructure related to meat from animals like bison, reindeer or salmon, USDA said.
The Local Meat Capacity Grant program will provide up to $75 million in grants to fund projects to provide producers with more local processing options.
“Local and regional meat processing is an important part of a resilient food supply chain. It not only provides producers with diverse processing options in their areas, but it also adds infrastructure, income and jobs in communities and provides more choices for consumers,” said USDA Marketing and Regulatory Programs Under Secretary Jenny Lester Moffitt.
Applications can be submitted at www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/localmcap by July 19.
