Biden-Harris Administration Announces Final Awards for Meat and Poultry Processing Investment
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has allocated over $35 million in grants to 15 independent meat processors across 12 states as part of the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP) funded by President Biden’s American Rescue Plan. This initiative aims to bolster processing capacity, enhance market opportunities for U.S. farmers, and generate jobs in rural areas.
Since the launch of the program in 2022, USDA has awarded a total of more than $325 million to 74 independent meat and poultry processing projects, significantly strengthening the food supply chain. These projects have increased processing capacity by over 800,000 cattle, 14,000 hogs, 23 million chickens, and 5 million turkeys annually, while also benefiting almost 900 additional meat and poultry producers and creating over 1,200 new jobs.
The latest round of grants will support projects such as America’s Heartland Packing’s construction of a large beef processing plant in Missouri, Mark’s Custom Meats’ expansion in Pennsylvania, and Damian’s Craft Meats’ new facility in Michigan. These investments will not only create jobs and business opportunities but also provide consumers with more options at the grocery store.
In addition to the MPPEP, USDA is committed to promoting fair, competitive, and transparent markets in the food and agricultural sector. The department has invested over $1.4 billion in supporting small and medium-sized processing facilities, enhancing the resilience of the U.S. food supply chain. Moreover, USDA has implemented new rules to increase transparency in markets and ensure that labeling accurately reflects the origin of meat and poultry products.
Through these initiatives, USDA is working towards building a more resilient and equitable food system, supporting rural communities, and creating a level playing field for producers and growers. To stay updated on USDA Rural Development activities, subscribe to their updates on the GovDelivery subscriber page.
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Sophie Müller completed her studies at ETH Zurich in Switzerland, earning a degree in Environmental Sciences with a concentration in agroecology. Her research explored the interactions between crops and their environment, particularly in relation to organic farming systems. Sophie is now a research scientist, focusing on agroecological practices that promote biodiversity and reduce environmental impact in agriculture.