The Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program is a part of USDA’s Build Back Better initiative to strengthen critical supply chains and our food system. This program guarantees loans of up to $40 million for qualified lenders to finance food systems projects, specifically for the start-up or expansion of activities in the middle of the food supply chain.
The program will support new investments in infrastructure for food aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storage, transportation, wholesaling, and distribution to increase capacity and create a more resilient, diverse, and secure U.S. food supply chain.
For more information, contact your lender or visit USDA Rural Development.
If you are having trouble finding a lender familiar with this loan guarantee program, you may also contact ODA for assistance.
USDA Meat and Poultry Processing Capacity
Technical Assistance Program (MPPTA)
USDA's Meat and Poultry Processing Capacity Technical Assistance Program (MPPTA) ensures that participants in USDA's Meat and Poultry Supply Chain initiatives have full-range technical assistance to support their project development and success.
These supply chain initiatives, including the Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grant (MPIRG) Program and the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP), support the growth of domestic processing capacity and the ability of independent facilities to serve customers in more markets.
USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is investing up to $25 million to establish a nationwide MPPTA network of support focusing on four key areas, or scopes:
- Federal Grant Application Management: Navigating federal grants processes and procedures, from pre-award applications processes through post-award grant management compliance.
- Business Development and Financial Planning: Business and financial planning resources, market intelligence, and project/concept feasibility analyses.
- Meat and Poultry Processing Technical and Operation Support: Advice and resources to support the operational needs including workforce development of processing plant development and utilization.
- Supply Chain Development: Support for the development and maintenance of successful supply chain and marketing relationships between supplies, processors, distributors and customers.
To learn more about the MPPTA Program, or to initiate a request for technical assistance under this program, visit the
AMS webpage.
USDA Local Meat Capacity Grant (Local MCap)
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced up to $75 million in new funding for Local Meat Capacity Grants (Local MCap). This program supports independently owned meat and poultry processing businesses with funds to provide more and better processing options for local livestock producers by modernizing, increasing, diversifying, and decentralizing meat and poultry processing capacity, including support for rendering.
Two levels of projects are supported through this grant.
- Processing Expansion Projects will fund grants from $100,000 up to $5,000,000 to increase the processing and/or rendering capacity of privately, cooperatively, non-profit, or Tribally held processing facilities as described in this RFA.
- Simplified Equipment-Only Projects offer a simplified application to fund smaller grants between $10,000 and $250,000 for equipment purchases for meat and poultry processors.
Applications must be submitted by:
July 19, 2023, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time
For more information:
The Flower Hill Institute held a webinar on the Local Meat Capacity Grant (Local MCap) on May 8, 2023 to discuss the eligibility and application requirements for interested applicants. Click here to view a recording of the webinar or view the USDA Local MCAP Fact Sheet
USDA Indigenous Animals Harvesting and Meat Processing Grant (IAG) Program
Grant funding for the Indigenous Animals Harvesting and Meat Processing Grant Program (IAG) is designed to support the priorities of Tribal Nations in meeting the needs of traditional harvesting methods and indigenous animals. This project intends to fund projects which invest in Tribal Nations' supply chain resiliency, indigenous animals, restoring local indigenous food systems, and indigenous processing methods, and expanding local capacity for the harvesting, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, or distribution (communal or commercial) of meat, poultry, seafood, and other animals that provide culturally appropriate food and food security to tribal communities.
Applications must be submitted by:
July 19, 2023, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time
For more information:
The Flower Institute will hold an Indigenous Animals Harvesting and Meat Processing Grant (IAG) Program Webinar on May 11, 2023, at 12PM Mountain (1PM Central, 2PM Eastern). This webinar will discuss the eligibility and application requirements for interested applicants. Click to register for the webinar or view the USDA IAG Fact Sheet.
Livestock producer direct marketing resources
Western Meat School
The Western Meat School is an intermediate-level short course for small and mid-scale livestock producers.
This fully remote learning experience will help farmers, ranchers, butchers & others learn the essentials for direct marketing niche meat from experts in livestock production, processing, marketing and pricing.
The course fee is $150 for up to two individuals in your business or family who will share the same login and Canvas learning dashboard. Start the enrollment process here.
This is a collaborative effort of the Niche Meat Processors Assistance Network at Oregon State University, Colorado State University, Montana State University, University of Wyoming and Mesalands Community College.
Additional resources