Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program — Phase II (MPPEP II)

Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program — Phase II (MPPEP II)

Funder: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development

Geographic Scope: United States and its territories

Program Status: Historical program (deadline was November 22, 2023)

Overview:
The MPPEP II provided competitive grant funding to help eligible processors expand their processing capacity, creating new and improved processing options for meat and poultry producers. The program was designed to encourage competition and sustainable growth in the U.S. meat processing sector and improve supply chain resiliency.

Total Funding: $123 million in federal grant funding

Eligible Uses of Funds

• Building, modernizing, or expanding existing processing facilities, including mobile slaughter units
• Developing, installing, or modernizing equipment and technology
• Ensuring compliance with packaging and labeling requirements
• Upholding occupational and other safety requirements
• Modifying facilities or equipment to protect food safety
• Offsetting costs associated with becoming an inspected facility
• Staffing or operational costs specifically tied to the proposed project
• Supporting workforce recruitment, training, and retention
• Posting USDA's standard infrastructure investment signage during construction

Eligible Applicants

• Private entities (independently owned and operated)
• Non-profit organizations
• Tribal entities
• Cooperatives
• State or local government entities
• Other eligible entities

Requirements for applicants:

Must process—or plan to process—one or more species subject to the Federal Meat Inspection Act or the Poultry Product Inspection Act

If engaging in further processing, must include products of slaughter from their own facility

Must have—or plan to obtain—a Federal Grant of Inspection through USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service, a Grant of Inspection under the Cooperative Interstate Shipment Program, or equivalent federal or state-based meat and poultry inspection program

Must comply with the National Environmental Policy Act and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act

Must comply with all applicable state, local, or Tribal laws

All entities must be domestically owned

Processing facilities must be physically located and operated within the U.S. or its territories

Must have current and active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM)

Technical Assistance

Flower Hill Institute serves as the lead technical assistance coordinator for the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Meat and Poultry Processing Capacity Technical Assistance (MPPTA) Program and can match applicants with resources and network cooperators to guide through the application process and post-award management.

Disclaimer: The MPPTA Program Coordinators do not offer or provide direct contractor services, financial capital, grant writing, or project management services, nor does the voluntary use of MPPTA guarantee the success of a grant application or the grant-funded project.

Contact Information:

Website: www.flowerhill.institute/usda-mppta

Technical Assistance Request: Available through FHI website

Social Media: DM on Facebook for MPPTA social media engagement team