Over $325 million overall financial investment in 74 independent meat and poultry processing tasks currently enhancing food supply chain, producing brand-new tasks and supporting American farmers
WASHINGTON, Sept. 19, 2024– U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack revealed today that USDA is granting more than $35 million in grants to 15 independent meat processors in 12 states to increase processing capability, stimulate competitors to broaden market chances for U.S. farmers and produce tasks in backwoods. This marks the last financial investment in the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP), moneyed by President Biden's American Rescue Plan, which was very first released in 2022.
The financial investments revealed today likewise advance the President's Purchasing America program and support the Administration's Action Plan for a Fairer, More Competitive, and More Resilient Meat and Poultry Supply Chain, which devotes resources to broaden independent processing capability.
“For the previous 4 years, the Biden-Harris Administration has actually advanced a sustainable vision of farming that focuses on the requirements of the hardworking manufacturers and small company owners who keep rural neighborhoods strong,” Secretary Vilsack stated. “Through financial investments like these, USDA is working to provide farmers and ranchers a sporting chance to complete in the market, which will increase regional food choices and lower grocery expenses for American households.”
Considering that the start of the program, USDA has actually offered 74 awards amounting to more than $325 million through MPPEP to broaden processing capability and enhance the food supply chain.
Numerous tasks are still in advancement and have actually currently increased the processing capability at these centers by more than 800,000 livestock, 14,000 hogs, 23 million chickens and 5 million turkeys each year. In addition these jobs are serving nearly 900 extra meat and poultry manufacturers and have actually developed more than 1,200 brand-new tasks.
As part of today's statement, the financing will assist construct brand-new processing plants, produce numerous tasks, offer regional manufacturers and business owners much better organization chances, and provide customers more alternatives at the supermarket. :
- America's Heartland Packing is getting a $10 million grant to develop a big beef processing plant beyond St. Louis, Missouri. The plant will be LEED accredited and will provide beef to domestic and global wholesalers, merchants, family pet food business and food producers.
- Mark's Custom Meats in Pennsylvania is getting a $750,000 grant to double the size of their present meat processing center, serving an extra 15 manufacturers and developing 4 brand-new full-time tasks.
- Damian's Craft Meats is a Latinx-owned processor and is utilizing a $4 million grant to develop a brand-new center in southeastern Michigan to serve regional livestock, hog, goat, and lamb manufacturers. Damian's will use fee-for-service processing and will likewise acquire animals from regional manufacturers through competitive and transparent rates.
The awards will benefit individuals residing in Arkansas, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New York and Pennsylvania.
Information on all of the awards revealed is offered online.
