Shapiro Administration Announces Opportunity to Expand Meat Processing Businesses in Pennsylvania

A total of $500,000 is available for 2024-25, with a maximum grant amount of $100,000.

PUBLISHED ON July 7, 2024

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding announced Monday the opening of the 2024-2025 Very Small Meat and Poultry Processing Reimbursement Grant Program. The grant program supports the development and expansion of current or future meat and poultry processing operations throughout Pennsylvania by providing reimbursement funds to cover costs associated with opening or expanding operations, or obtaining an inspection grant from the USDA Food Safety Inspection Service.

“Pennsylvanians are looking for local farms now more than ever, and this grant directly addresses that desire by helping small meat and poultry processors meet the growing demand for local food,” said Secretary Redding. “By investing in local agriculture, the Shapiro Administration is not only helping farmers and processors stay competitive, it’s also shortening supply chains, reducing costs, and ensuring a more reliable and sustainable food source for our Commonwealth.”

A total of $500,000 is available for 2024-25, with a maximum grant amount of $100,000. Applications can be submitted through the online Single Application System and must be submitted by 5pm on Friday 2 August 2024.

Since 2019, Pennsylvania has supported the expansion of 47 small businesses, investing more than $2.7 million through grants to very small meat and poultry processors. These grants are one of the many ways increased agriculture funding in the Shapiro Administration’s bipartisan 2023-24 budget is creating the workforce and infrastructure Pennsylvania’s $132.5 billion agriculture industry needs to continue to grow, fuel our economy, and support more than 593,000 jobs.

Additional details on the 2024-2025 Very Small Meat and Poultry Processor Reimbursement Grant Program can be found in the PA Bulletin dated Saturday, June 15, 2024.

To learn about past PA Farm Bill grant recipients in your area, get information about funding opportunities, and learn more about investing in a strong future for Pennsylvania agriculture, visit agriculture.pa.gov.

– Pennsylvania Farm Bureau