On Thursday, Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the latest and final round of funding for the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program.

 

“Through this program, we are awarding more than $35 million in grants to 15 independent meat processors in 12 states to increase processing capacity," Vilsack said.  "Spur competition to expand market opportunities for US farmers and to create jobs in rural areas.”

 

The Ag secretary added the grants were designed to help eligible processors expand their processing capacity as well as create new, better as well as more processing options.  Since the processing expansion program began, it has invested $325 million to support 74 projects.

 

“So it's an exciting opportunity for us, particularly to help small and mid-sized family farming operations be able to have a fairer and better market opportunity.”

 

Northwest companies receiving funding include Sustainable Meats and Rocky Mountain Prime, LLC, both in Idaho.  Click Here for a list of all the winners in this final round of funding.

 

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