HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-19-23 Correspondence - USDA - USDA Announces Funding Availability to Expand Meat and Poultry Processing Options for Underserved Producers and Tribal CommunitiesFrom:USDA Rural Development MontanaTo:AgendaSubject: USDA Announces Funding Availability to Expand Meat and Poultry Processing Options for Underserved Producers andTribal CommunitiesDate:Wednesday, April 19, 2023 11:02:16 AM
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US Department of Agriculture Rural Development - Together America Prospers
News Release
Contact: press@oc.usda.gov
USDA Announces Funding Availability to Expand Meat and
Poultry Processing Options for Underserved Producers and
Tribal Communities
Up to $125 million through two grant programs will increase choices for
producers, including new capacity for indigenous meat processing to
support tribal food systems.
WASHINGTON, April 19, 2023 – Today the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
announced the availability of up to $125 million through two new grant programs to create
more options for meat and poultry farmers by investing in independent, local meat and
poultry processing projects that increase competition and enhance the resiliency of the
food supply chain.
These new grant programs, the Indigenous Animals Harvesting and Meat Processing
Grant Program and the Local Meat Capacity Grant Program, are part of the broader $1
billion American Rescue Plan investment by the Biden-Harris Administration to expand
processing capacity for small and midsized meat and poultry processors.
“This is the latest step in USDA’s transformational work to fill gaps and help small and
underserved producers market their products, support thriving local and regional food
systems by investing in processing capacity that’s closer to farms and help alleviate major
bottlenecks in food and agricultural supply chains,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom
Vilsack. “Importantly, we’re also taking steps to increase the overall availability of protein
from indigenous animals like bison, reindeer and salmon, which have been the backbone
of tribal food systems for generations.”
Since July 2021, for example, USDA has helped 30 businesses expand their operations
through Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Project grants and has helped many
more work towards a federal grant of inspection through Meat and Poultry Inspection
Readiness Grants. More information on USDA’s work to fulfill this commitment can be
found at usda.gov/meat.
About the Indigenous Animals Harvesting and Meat Processing Grant Program
This new grant program will provide up to $50 million to improve tribal nations’ food and
agricultural supply chain resiliency by developing and expanding value-added
infrastructure related to meat from indigenous animals like bison, reindeer, or salmon. The
program will fund projects that focus on expanding local capacity for the harvesting,
processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, or distribution of indigenous
meats.
Eligible applicants are Indian tribes, as defined by the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe
List Act of 1994, as well as wholly-owned arms and instrumentalities, and joint or multi-
tribal government entities. USDA is partnering with tribal-serving organizations on projects
to reimagine federal food and agriculture programs from an Indigenous perspective and
inform future USDA programs and policies.
More information about Indigenous Animals Grants is available at
http://www.usda.gov/iag. Applications will be accepted through July 19, 2023.
About the Local Meat Capacity Grant Program
The Local Meat Capacity Grant program will provide up to $75 million in grants to fund
innovative projects designed to build resilience in the meat and poultry supply chain by
providing producers with more local processing options and strengthening their market
potential. This grant program is targeted to support meat and poultry processors with
smaller-scale projects, with a goal to increase processing availability and variety for local
and regional livestock producers.
The Local Meat Capacity Grants will fund both expansion and equipment-only projects
through a competitive grant process. USDA encourages applicants to engage with
livestock producers, especially small and underserved ranchers.
More information about the Local Meat Capacity Grant program is available at
https://www.ams.usda.gov/localmcap. Applications will be accepted through July 15,
2023.
Both grant programs are aligned with USDA efforts to:
Ensure equitable access to USDA programs and benefits from USDA-funded
projects and support the policies of Executive Order 13985 on Advancing Racial
Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal
Government.
Contribute to the resilience of the food and agricultural supply chains through
support for diversified, value-added agriculture and support the policies of Executive
Order 14017 on America’s Supply Chains.
Promote competition in the food system and support the policies of Executive Order
14036 on Promoting Competition in the American Economy.
USDA Rural Development has six offices in Montana – Billings, Bozeman, Great Falls,
Helena, Kalispell, and Missoula. To learn more about investment resources for rural areas
in Montana, call (406) 585-2587 or visit www.rd.usda.gov/mt.
Rural Development provides loans and grants to expand economic opportunities, upgrade
infrastructure, create jobs, and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural
and Tribal areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.
To receive USDA Rural Development updates visit the GovDelivery subscriber page and
follow on Twitter @RD_Montana.
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