The U.S. Department of Agriculture is investing more than $43 million into meat and poultry processing research, as well as innovation and expansion to work toward helping with supply chain issues.
According to a March 9 USDA release, this is part of an effort to “transform the food system at every stage along the supply chain.” The funds are through the American Rescue Plan and the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative.
“Farmers rely on technology to become more efficient and profitable,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in the release. “Under the Biden-Harris administration and through historic funding investments, USDA continues to invest in research processing expansion that will create new and better markets and expand opportunities for small businesses and rural communities. This investment will help enable that vision.”
The University of Arkansas is getting $5 million from a USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture grant through the AFRI Center of Excellence for Meat and Poultry Processing and Food Safety Research and Innovation, the release reported. There are also $13.9 million in grants awarded to 14 small and mid-sized meat and poultry processors.
The AFRI Center of Excellence for Meat and Poultry Processing and Food Safety Research and Innovation program promotes innovative meat and poultry processing approaches that enhance food safety and risk management, according to the release. The University of Arkansas will be conducting research to decrease industry barriers to safety and processing, incorporating basic and applied research in meat and poultry processing and food safety to promote technological innovation.
A $25 million Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program grant is also going to Wholestone Farms to expand a plant in Fremont, Neb., according to the release. The grant comes from USDA Rural Development.
“Investments like these will deliver long-term improvements in meat and poultry processing practices to benefit consumers, farmers and the environment,” Vilsack said in the release. “We are excited to see how these investments will generate solutions that benefit all Americans.”
