The
U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA) announced the availability of up to
$125 million
through two new grant programs that will 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 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 worked with 30 businesses to 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.
"This is a historic investment to support indigenous food supply chains by enhancing community food sovereignty and traditional harvesting methods," said
USDA Office of Tribal Relations Director Heather Dawn Thompson
. "Tribal nations have clearly articulated their priorities to
USDA
over the last two years, and this program directly responds by focusing on species and activities which have historically not had significant access to funding in federal programs."
"For too long, Native American farmers and ranchers have been asked to produce more to meet increasing demand across the country and around the world, while they and the tribal communities they come from have struggled to see their fair share of the benefits," said USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development
Xochitl Torres Small
. "Under the leadership of the Biden-Harris administration,
USDA
is proud to offer this investment in tribal nations' food chain resiliency as a part of
USDA's
broader efforts to restore indigenous food ways. By expanding and enhancing local processing capacity, these projects will provide culturally appropriate food and community food security to tribal communities."
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
partners 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 is available on
USDA's
Indigenous Animals Grants webpage (https://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.
"Local and regional meat processing is an important part of a resilient food supply chain. It not only provides producers with diverse processing options in their areas, but it also adds infrastructure, income and jobs in communities and provides more choices for consumers," said USDA Marketing and Regulatory Programs Under Secretary
Jenny Lester Moffitt
. "These Local Meat Capacity grants will provide local livestock and poultry producers with more and better options by modernizing, diversifying, and decentralizing processing capacity. As part of the Biden-Harris administration's comprehensive approach to transforming the food system from farm to fork, this program complements other
USDA
grant programs building capacity along the supply chain, like the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program, by providing targeted support for meat and poultry processors with smaller-scale projects."
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 is available on the
Agricultural Marketing Service's
Local MCap webpage (https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/localmcap). Applications will be accepted through
July 19, 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.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2023/04/19/usda-announces-funding-availability-expand-meat-and-poultry
