The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing more than $43 million in meat and poultry processing research, innovation, and expansion, including several projects that aim to enhance food safety. The investment is funded through the American Rescue Plan and the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI).
As part of the total investment, the University of Arkansas was awarded a $5 million grant from the AFRI Center of Excellence for Meat and Poultry Processing and Food Safety Research and Innovation (MPPFSRI). In addition, $13.9 million in grants from the MPPFSRI Small Business Innovation Research Phase III program were awarded to 14 small and mid-sized meat and poultry processors. The grants are administered by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Additionally, one $25 million Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP) grant was awarded to Wholestone Farms for a major plant expansion in Fremont, Nebraska. This grant was administered by USDA Rural Development.