The Department of Agriculture this week announced a $59 million investment to increase independent meat and poultry processing capacity.
The funding also seeks to expand market opportunities for farmers and create jobs in rural areas.
The investment is part of the Biden administration's Action Plan for a Fairer, More Competitive, and More Resilient Meat and Poultry Supply Chain.
The action plan dedicates resources to expand independent processing capacity. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says, "USDA will continue to work tirelessly to give farmers and ranchers a fair chance to compete in the marketplace, which in turn helps lower food costs for the American people."
USDA is providing the $59 million in grants to five independent processors under the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program. The funding will help build new processing plants, create hundreds of jobs, give local producers and entrepreneurs more options and business opportunities, and give consumers more options at the grocery store.