WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD News) — USDA recently announced $60 million in grant funding for meat and poultry processors, hoping to help expand processing capacity in rural communities.
Victoria Collin with USDA’s Rural Business-Cooperative Service says the development is a critical link in the livestock supply chain.
“Prioritizing our American cattle farmers as a top priority,” Collin says. “Expanding local processing capabilities and strengthening supply chains within our rural communities is critical to give producers the tools they need to boost meat production and continue feeding our nation.”
As major facilities owned by the “Big Four” Packers have shuttered across the U.S. over the last year, concerns have grown about strains on domestic processing capacity. Collin says smaller, local packers are now the only option for some producers.
“We’ve heard from our producers that having these small and very small processors in their community is often the only option that they have to process cattle,” she continues. “When those processors dry up, the producers suffer. Having this access to capital for these processors is critical to the whole supply chain. This really supports RBCS’s mission to support rural prosperity and access to capital.”
USDA will distribute $60 million through a new round of grants.
In addition to expanding processing capacity, the department says the investment is expected to create jobs and provide more opportunities in rural communities.
