Grant Information
MEAT AND POULTRY PROCESSING EXPANSION PROGRAM
Applications must be submitted by May 11, 2022, by 11:59 pm EST.
What does this program do?
The Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP) provides grants to help eligible processors expand their capacity. USDA Rural Development designed the MPPEP to encourage competition and sustainable growth in the U.S. meat processing sector, and to help improve supply chain resiliency.
Who can apply for this program?
Sole proprietor businesses or other entities that engage – or want to engage – in meat and poultry processing.
How can funds be used?
Grant funds can be used to expand processing capacity by supporting activities such as:
- Building new – or modernizing or expanding existing – processing facilities
- Developing, installing, or modernizing equipment and technology
- Ensuring compliance with packaging and labeling requirements
- Upholding occupational and other safety requirements
- Modifying facilities or equipment to protect food safety
- Paying for voluntary grading services on value-added processed products
- Offsetting costs associated with becoming an inspected facility
- Supporting workforce recruitment, training, and retention
What is the maximum grant amount?
The maximum award amount is $25 million, or 20 percent of total project costs, whichever is less. There is no minimum award amount.
What are some other requirements?
Eligible applicants must:
- Process – or plan to process – one or more species subject to the Federal Meat Inspection Act, or the Poultry Product Inspection Act.
- Have – or plan to get – a Federal Grant of Inspection through USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, a Grant of Inspection under the Cooperative Interstate Shipment Program, or a federal equivalent Tribal or state-based meat and poultry inspection program
- Comply with the National Environmental Policy Act and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, and all other applicable state, local or Tribal laws.
What governs this program?
The MPPEP is authorized by Section 1001(b)(4) of the American Rescue Plan Act – also known as Public Law 117-2.
How do I apply?
Check the Request for Applications (RFA) at https://www.grants.gov/.
MEAT AND POULTRY INSPECTION READINESS GRANT
The USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is accepting applications now through May 24, 2022, for a second round of Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grants program funding totaling $23.6 million.
With this grant funding, meat and poultry processing businesses can cover the costs for improvements such as expanding existing facilities, modernizing processing equipment and meeting packaging, labeling, and food safety requirements needed to achieve a Federal Grant of Inspection under the Federal Meat Inspection Act or the Poultry Products Inspection Act, or to operate under a state’s Cooperative Interstate Shipment program. These changes will allow these facilities to serve more customers in more markets.
USDA encourages grant applications that focus on improving meat and poultry slaughter and processing capacity and efficiency; developing new and expanding existing markets; increasing capacity and better meeting consumer and producer demand; maintaining strong inspection and food safety standards; obtaining a larger commercial presence; and increasing access to slaughter or processing facilities for smaller farms and ranches, new and beginning farmers and ranchers, socially disadvantaged producers, and veteran producers.
For more information about grant eligibility and previously funded projects, visit www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/mpirg.
MEAT AND POULTRY INSPECTION READINESS GRANT
Applications must be submitted by May 24, 2022, by 11:59 pm EST.
The USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is accepting applications now through May 24, 2022, for a second round of Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grants program funding totaling $23.6 million.
With this grant funding, meat and poultry processing businesses can cover the costs for improvements such as expanding existing facilities, modernizing processing equipment and meeting packaging, labeling, and food safety requirements needed to achieve a Federal Grant of Inspection under the Federal Meat Inspection Act or the Poultry Products Inspection Act, or to operate under a state’s Cooperative Interstate Shipment program. These changes will allow these facilities to serve more customers in more markets.
USDA encourages grant applications that focus on improving meat and poultry slaughter and processing capacity and efficiency; developing new and expanding existing markets; increasing capacity and better meeting consumer and producer demand; maintaining strong inspection and food safety standards; obtaining a larger commercial presence; and increasing access to slaughter or processing facilities for smaller farms and ranches, new and beginning farmers and ranchers, socially disadvantaged producers, and veteran producers.
For more information about grant eligibility and previously funded projects, visit www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/mpirg.
Grant Writing Services
Christi Southerland, Prosperity Ag and Resources
csoutherland@prosperityag.com
Samantha Egolf
Samantha.r.egolf@gmail.com
Andrew Lorenz, We R Food Safety!
andrew@werfoodsafety.com
715-309-2980
Brooke Miller, Agricultural Grant Solutions
Stephen Ussery, Dept. of Ag Rural Business-Cooperative Service: Value Added Producer Grants
stephen@stewardsunlimited.com
423-284-8221
Samantha Egolf, Ph.D., Meat Technical Specialist, shares the Dos and Dont's of Grant Writing. (March 4, 2022)
AAMP Executive Director Chris Young details the latest information on the $215 Million grant announced by USDA. (March 2, 2022)
