In a June 29 press release, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced investments to enhance independent meat and poultry processing capacity, expand market opportunities for farmers, and support the rural workforce. The initiatives are part of President Joe Biden's effort to boost the economy.
The USDA will provide a total of $115 million in 15 awards across 17 states. This includes $38 million through the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP) and $77 million under the Meat and Poultry Intermediary Lending Program (MPILP).
Vilsack shared the need to increase production as demand grows.
"While American farmers and ranchers have been responding to the demand to produce more, their communities have struggled to see their share of the benefits," he said in the release. "Under the leadership of the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is committed to championing meat and poultry processors, increasing competition, and lowering costs for working families. The announcement I’m making today highlights these producers and reflects the goals of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, which advances a sustainable vision of agriculture, prioritizes the needs of our producers and small businesses, promotes competition, strengthens our domestic agricultural supply chains and brings prosperity to people and places in rural parts of our country.”
The MPPEP will assist independent processors in five states, while the MPILP will provide funding to intermediary lenders who finance the operation, expansion or start-up of meat and poultry processing facilities in 12 states; the release said. Additionally, the USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture will allocate $4.5 million to community and technical colleges in seven states through the Meat and Poultry Processing–Agricultural Workforce Training (AWT) program. Those investments aim to create a well-trained workforce and safe workplaces with fair wages.
The release highlighted Biden's Investing in America agenda, which focuses on growing the economy, making investments in rural America and transforming the food system. The MPPEP and MPILP programs align with the Biden-Harris administration's Action Plan for a Fairer, More Competitive, and More Resilient Meat and Poultry Supply Chain. These programs aim to expand independent processing capacity, support workers, and improve the resilience and diversity of the U.S. food supply chain.
