On March 11th, USDA announced grants totaling $9.5 million to 42 projects under the Local Meat Capacity Grant Program. This tranche is part of the $75 million available as announced in April 2023. The intent is to “build resilience in the meat and poultry supply chain by providing producers with more local processing options and strengthening their market potential”.
The USDA Agricultural Marketing Services administering the program has entered into an agreement with the New Hampshire Community Loan Fund to process grant awards. These will range from $10,000 to $250,000 to purchase processing equipment including mixers, smokers and packaging installations.
It is questioned whether awards with an average of $226,000 will make any impact on national production although most individual recipients in various localities will benefit. As with all “giveaway” programs implemented under the present Administration it is questioned how the USDA AMS will evaluate increased productivity and improved financial performance given that taxpayer funds are involved. Do we anticipate an accounting in four years’ time? Naah!