MPPEP Program Update
On March 30, 2022, USDA presented an update to the Meat and Poultry Expansion Program
Additional Technical Assistance Resources
Learn more about Technical Assistance available to MPPEP grant applicants and grant-funded projects. Visit the Meat and Poultry Processing Capacity Technical Assistance webpage to learn more.
What does this program do?
The Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP) provides grants to help eligible processors expand their capacity. USDA Rural Development designed the MPPEP to encourage competition and sustainable growth in the U.S. meat processing sector, and to help improve supply chain resiliency.
Who can apply for this program?
Sole proprietor businesses or other entities that engage – or want to engage – in meat and poultry processing.
How can funds be used?
Grant funds can be used to expand processing capacity by supporting activities such as:
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Building new – or modernizing or expanding existing – processing facilities
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Developing, installing, or modernizing equipment and technology
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Ensuring compliance with packaging and labeling requirements
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Upholding occupational and other safety requirements
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Modifying facilities or equipment to protect food safety
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Paying for voluntary grading services on value-added processed products
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Offsetting costs associated with becoming an inspected facility
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Supporting workforce recruitment, training, and retention
What is the maximum grant amount?
The maximum award amount is $25 million, or 20 percent of total project costs, whichever is less. There is no minimum award amount.
What are some other requirements?
Eligible applicants must:
- Process – or plan to process – one or more species subject to the Federal Meat Inspection Act, or the Poultry Product Inspection Act.
- Have – or plan to get – a Federal Grant of Inspection through USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, a Grant of Inspection under the Cooperative Interstate Shipment Program, or a federal equivalent Tribal or state-based meat and poultry inspection program
- Comply with the National Environmental Policy Act and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, and all other applicable state, local or Tribal laws.
What governs this program?
The MPPEP is authorized by Section 1001(b)(4) of the American Rescue Plan Act – also known as Public Law 117-2.
How do I apply?
Check the Request for Applications (RFA) at https://www.grants.gov/.
Applicants are encouraged to review the Applicant Self-Screening Tool to assess preliminary eligibility for the program.
All MPPEP applications must be filed through https://www.grants.gov unless the applicant cannot successfully complete SAM registration by May 11, 2022. In this case, follow the alternative MPPEP application submission instructions.
Please review the Application Checklist to ensure a complete MPPEP application is filed. Please review the following documents referenced in the application checklist:
All applicant entities must have a current and active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) in order to file an MPPEP application. Please reference Section 3.7 of the MPPEP RFA for registration instructions.
All MPPEP applications must be received by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on May 11, 2022, through www.Grants.gov. Applications received after this deadline or filed in any other manner will not be considered for evaluation or funding.
Please visit usda.gov/meat for to learn more about USDA’s work to build a Fairer, More Competitive, and More Resilient Meat and Poultry Supply Chain
There are no other additional requirements.
Special Note
Rural Development seeks subject matter experts as peer reviewers to objectively evaluate grant applications against the published criteria in MPPEP’s Request for Applications. Rural Development is partnering with the National Institute of Food and Agriculture for the peer review process. If you are interested in becoming a reviewer, please visit the NIFA Peer Review page.
Past program webinars:
- Program Overview: February 28 at 2 p.m. Eastern Time. Webinar Slides | Webinar Recording
- Application Requirements: March 7 at 2 p.m. Eastern Time. Webinar Slides | Webinar Recording