U.S. ranchers and farmers, meat processors and rural businesses are set to receive nearly $10 million in federal assistance to "diversify the nation's meat supply," the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced earlier this month.
USDA Sec. Tom Vilsack announced on Jan. 5 that the agency is investing $9.6 million "and taking several other steps" to assist meat producers, boost competition and support local food supply chains, according to the announcement. The funding will support 25 projects in 15 states to expand the scope of independent meat processing, the announcement states.
Vilsack said the USDA is working department-wide to "coordinate ways to deliver more opportunities and fairer prices for producers, to give people access to healthier foods, eliminate bottlenecks in the food supply chain and ultimately lower prices for consumers.”
The USDA has awarded 23 grants totally $3.9 million from its Value Added Producer Grant program to assist meat producers incorporate and market new products, expand facilities and add employees, the agency reports.
Two companies are also receiving $5.7 million in guaranteed loans through the Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program using funding from the American Rescue Plan, according to the announcement, for "new investments in infrastructure for food aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storage, transportation, wholesaling and distribution."
“USDA is putting the needs of farmers, ranchers and consumers at the forefront of the Biden-Harris Administration’s work to strengthen the resiliency of America’s food supply chain while promoting competition,” Vilsack said in the statement.
