September 29, 2022

USDA announces additional funds for meat and poultry supply chain

USDA announces additional funds for meat and poultry supply chain

By: Sydney Sheffield 

The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has announced $21.9 million in awards to 111 grant programs through the Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grant Program (MPIRG). This additional funding brings the total funding to $54.6 million. This year’s awards will fund projects in 37 states and will help strengthen and develop new market opportunities for meat and poultry processors throughout the United States.

AMS is also encouraging MPIRG awardees and eligible participants in USDA’s Meat and Poultry Supply Chain initiatives to request assistance through the Meat and Poultry Processing Capacity Technical Assistance Program (MPPTA). The program launched in March 2022 and connects participants to a nationwide network of resources and expertise.

“The Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grants will help meat and poultry processors make necessary facility improvements, expand their businesses, and strengthen the nation’s food supply chain,” said USDA Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. “These grants are one part of USDA’s Meat and Poultry Supply Chain initiatives and will contribute to our efforts to transform our food system.”

Facility improvements and expansions funded through MPIRG will help processors obtain a Federal Grant of Inspection or qualify for a state’s Cooperative Interstate Shipment program. Achieving a Federal Grant of Inspection or operating under a Cooperative Interstate Shipment program allows meat and poultry processors to ship products across state lines, develop new markets, increase capacity, and better meet consumer and producer demand along the supply chain.

“USDA continues to build capacity and increase economic opportunity for small and midsized meat and poultry producers across the country,” said USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, Jenny Lester Moffitt.

A few of the 2022 awardees are listed below: 

  • Boozy Pig LLC: Modern Value-Added Production, Packaging, and Cold Storage Capabilities at The Boozy Pig to Achieve USDA-Inspection Readiness and Increase Local Meat Availability in Florida

  • Red barn Meat Market LLC: New Improvements to Food Safety Technology, Facility Elements, and Equipment at Red Barn Meat Market to Achieve CIS Inspection Readiness 

  • Circle P Processing LLC: Facility Upgrades to Ensure a Granted USDA Inspection

Check out the full list of beneficiaries and learn more about MPIRG and MPPTA