In an effort to boost the national food supply chain, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack is making $200 million available to drive effort and create opportunities for small businesses in rural areas.
According to a USDA news release, the goal of the funding is to level the playing field while creating more diverse supply chains for meat and poultry products.
“For too long, farmers and ranchers have seen the value and the opportunities they work so hard to create move away from the rural communities where they live and operate,” Vilsack said in the USDA news release. “The funding we’re announcing today ultimately will help us give farmers and ranchers a fair shake, strengthen supply chains, and make food prices fairer.”
The USDA noted in its news release that the funding is from the Meat and Poultry Intermediary Lending Program (MPILP), and will be distributed in grants worth up to $15 million.
The release also noted that the grants can be used for a wide range of business opportunities, including purchasing land, expanding facilities and modernizing equipment.
Moreover, Vilsack noted in the news release that under the leadership and President Biden and Vice President Harris, the USDA will continue to make investments that drive competition and boost economies in rural areas, while targeting anti-competitive practices.
