USDA Boosts Local Meat Processing with $20.2M Grant to Support Independent Packers Like Haen Meats

USDA Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small recently visited Haen Meat Packing in Kaukauna, Wisconsin, showcasing a significant federal investment supporting independent meat processors through the Local Meat Capacity Grant Program.

“When we invest in domestic supply chains, we drive down costs for families and create good-paying jobs in rural communities,” Torres Small remarked, underscoring the program’s objectives in a social media post.

Haen Meat Packing is among the recipients of the $20.2 million distributed through the program, part of President Biden’s American Rescue Plan Act.

The initiative aims to provide critical funding to small-scale and local meat processing businesses, allowing them to expand their capacity and improve processing options for local livestock producers.

The Local Meat Capacity Grant Program offers two types of funding: Processing Expansion Projects and Simplified Equipment-Only Projects. Grants for processing expansion can reach up to $5 million, while the equipment-only grants range from $10,000 to $250,000.

The program provides an accessible opportunity for smaller, independently-owned meat processors to modernize and expand.

Eligible applicants for these grants include small business owners and other entities engaged in the meat and poultry processing industry.

By diversifying and decentralizing the processing landscape, the USDA aims to strengthen local supply chains, reduce consumer costs, and create employment in rural communities.

This targeted investment aligns with a broader national strategy to bolster food security and increase resilience within the domestic supply chain.

Want to learn more about federal investments in local meat processing? Check out our homepage for news on grants and community impact.