USDA makes grants available to help meat and poultry processors expand capacity

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for grants to help eligible meat and poultry processors expand their capacity.

The Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program underscores Secretary Rollins’ efforts under the leadership of the Trump administration to fortify the American Beef Industry, encourage competition and sustainable growth in the U.S. meat processing sector and help improve supply chain resiliency.

USDA is making $60 million in grants available through Phase 4 of MPPEP. The primary purpose of Phase 4 is to support the American Beef Industry by diversifying the meat and poultry supply chain and opening local market opportunities.

Eligible applicants include for‐profit organizations, nonprofit organizations, producer-owned cooperatives, tribes and tribal entities.

Privately-owned entities must be independently owned and operated, and all entities must be domestically owned.

Additionally, the applicant’s processing facility must be physically located and operating in the United States or its territories. The applicant’s facility must primarily process cattle in order for the project to be eligible for the program, however, funds or equipment may be used for processing meat and poultry at the facility.

Available funding will be divided equally into two separate competitions: Very Small Processors and Small Processors; and Intermediate Processors. For definitions, see Section 1.3 of the MPPEP Phase 4 Notice of Funding Opportunity.

To learn more, read the full stakeholder announcement.