What does this program do?

The Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP) provides grants to help eligible processors expand their capacity. USDA Rural Development designed the MPPEP to encourage competition and sustainable growth in the U.S. meat processing sector, and to help improve supply chain resiliency.

Who can apply? 

Sole proprietor businesses or other entities that engage - or want to engage - in meat and poultry processing or in post-butcher processing (such as cold storage, smoking, breading, sausage, or hamburger grinding and casing) are eligible. Eligible applicants must:

1) Process - or plan to process - one or more species subject to the Federal Meat Inspection Act (available at this link: https://go.usa. gov/xtzhB), or the Poultry Product Inspection Act (available at this link: https://go.usa.gov/xtzhN)

2) Have - or plan to get - a Federal Grant of Inspection through USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (available at this link: https://go.usa. gov/xtzhU), a Grant of Inspection under the Cooperative Interstate Shipment Program (available at this link: https://go.usa.gov/xtzhG), and 

3) Must Comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (available at this link: https://go.usa.gov/xtuqD) and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (available at this link: https://go.usa.gov/xtuq6 - PDF), and all other applicable state, local or Tribal laws.

So if an applicant is currently a custom exempt plant or a NYS 5A poultry plant, that applicant would not be eligible for the grant unless they plan to become a USDA inspected plant.

How can funds be used?

Grant funds can be used to expand processing capacity by supporting activities such as:
- Building new - or modernizing or expanding existing - processing facilities
- Developing, installing, or modernizing equipment and technology
- Ensuring compliance with packaging and labeling requirements
- Upholding occupational and other safety requirements
- Modifying facilities or equipment to protect food safety
- Paying for voluntary grading services on value-added processed products
- Offsetting costs associated with becoming an inspected facility
- Supporting workforce recruitment, training, and retention

What is the maximum grant amount?

The maximum award amount is $25 million, or 20 percent of total project costs, whichever is less. There is no minimum award amount.

How do I apply?

Check the Request for Applications (RFA) at https://www.grants.gov/.

Who can answer questions?

Questions can be submitted to https://www.rd.usda.gov/mppep, or by email at MPPEP@usda.gov.

Businesses can register for the webinars about these competitive USDA grants available as part of the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP) (See Myron's message below) by clicking on the following links:

• Program Overview: February 28 at 2 p.m. Eastern Time. Webinar Registration
• Application Requirements: March 7 at 2 p.m. Eastern Time. Webinar Registration