USDA Deputy Secretary Highlights Grant Support for Local Meat Processors at Haen Meat Packing

In a visit to Haen Meat Packing in Kaukauna, Wisconsin, USDA Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small emphasized the importance of supporting local meat processors through federal grants.

This stop was part of a broader initiative aimed at boosting small and independent meat and poultry processors across the country.

Torres Small shared in a social media post, “When we invest in domestic supply chains, we drive down costs for families and create good-paying jobs in rural communities.”

Haen Meat Packing is one of the recipients of the $20.2 million allocated through the Local Meat Capacity Grants program, funded under President Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan Act.

The grants are designed to help small processors modernize, expand, and diversify their operations, enhancing their ability to meet local demand.

The program offers two types of grants: Processing Expansion Projects, which range from $100,000 to $5 million, and Simplified Equipment-Only Projects, with funding between $10,000 and $250,000.

This funding initiative aligns with USDA’s goal to decentralize meat and poultry processing by bolstering smaller, independent businesses, which, in turn, supports regional economies and increases access to locally processed meat products.

Eligible grant applicants include independent businesses, sole proprietorships, and other entities in the meat processing industry.

Curious about how grant funding supports local meat businesses? Check out our homepage to explore USDA initiatives and their community impact.