WSDA Offering Grants To Help Meat Processors

The Washington State Department of Agriculture is now accepting grant applications to help small and medium-sized meat processors. The WSDA’s Hector Castro says Local Meat Processing Capacity Grants are designed to help operators across the state.

"These are reimbursable grants. The operations do the work first, and then these grants provide them funding afterward to cover their costs for some of the activities that they might have to undertake to expand their ability to grow their customer base."

The grants are an effort to address strains on the food supply chain that started to develop after the pandemic started. During the 2021 Legislative Session, state lawmakers provided the WSDA $3.6 million to launch the grant program. Grant money can be used for a variety of needs from payroll, training, new appliances and utility improvements. 

Castro noted the Department understands the frustration many consumers may have when they cannot find the product they want at their local store.

"This is another avenue for meat in particular to be processed and made available to consumer. There really is a benefit all down the line. Everyone benefits when are food systems are strengthened and that's what this grant program is meant to do."

Grants are open to businesses with 75 employees or less. Grant awards will top out at $750,000. The deadline for small projects to apply is February 28^th

Visit the WSDA's Website to learn more or to apply.

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