Meat & Poultry Processing Funding Program Update

In February 2022, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that it would offer $215 million in grants and other support in an effort to help meat and poultry processors expand/build facilities, strengthen the food supply chain and create jobs and economic opportunities in rural areas.

The program is divided into three categories. Let’s take a closer look at each category and what is expected of interested parties.

In February 2022, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that it would offer $215 million in grants and other support in an effort to help meat and poultry processors expand/build facilities, strengthen the food supply chain and create jobs and economic opportunities in rural areas.

The program is divided into three categories. Let’s take a closer look at each category and what is expected of interested parties.

Meat & Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP)

Administrator: USDA Rural Development

Amount: $150 million

Purpose: Expand processing capacity

Application Deadline: May 11, 2022

The MPPEP program will provide organizations up to $25 million or 20% of the total project cost (whichever is less) in funds for new construction, facility expansion or equipment acquisition. These funds are NOT intended to support existing facilities or operations–they must be used to expand capacity to accommodate additional species, increased volume or another similar form of expansion.

Meat & Poultry Processing Workforce Development

Administrator: USDA National Institute of Food & Agriculture (NIFA)

Amount: $40 million

Purpose: Provide a pipeline of trained workers to meet demand  for current processors & increased independent processing capacity

While the Expansion Program focuses on directly helping processors expand their capacities with extra funding, the Workforce Development program is dedicated to creating a pipeline of well-trained meat and poultry processing workers. The program will provide grants to support workforce training at community, junior and technical higher education facilities that have meat and poultry processing programs. In addition, the program will work to supplement existing and/or establish new Centers of Excellence at Minority-Serving Institutions that also focus on meat and poultry research, education and training. The end goal is to provide meat and poultry processors the workers they need quickly.

Meat & Poultry Processing Technical Assistance

Administrator: USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)

Amount: $25 million

Purpose: Provide technical support to organizations applying for MPPEP grants

The Technical Assistance portion has been set up solely to provide full-service technical support from the start of the application process through post award. The funds will help establish partnerships with organizations who can provide that assistance.

The USDA expects to announce grant winners by the end of the 2022 fiscal year, i.e., Sept. 30, 2022.

 

If you’re interested in participating in the MPPEP, the EnSight Solutions team invites you to speak to one of our sales consultants. We can help you analyze your current facility, product and processes and suggest ways to improve capacity and efficiency. In regard to meat and poultry processing, we offer material handling, further processing, robotics, high-shear mixing equipment and more to help you create the product you and your customers expect.

Start your expansion or new facility right by talking to the experts at EnSight Solution about our quality meat and poultry processing equipment and automation integration services.