The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced up to $57 million in funding through its Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program to support small and mid-sized meat processors. The funding includes 147 awards across 40 states and is designed to expand processing capacity and strengthen competitio n in the meat sector. USDA Rural Development Undersecretary Glen Smith says the program addresses a critical challenge facing livestock producers – a bottleneck in the ability to process that animal and deliver it directly to consumers. Smith says the program has evolved through four phases. Early rounds focused on expanding and modernizing processing facilities, while later phases increased cost-share assistance, supported invasive catfish processing, and targeted independently owned small and intermediate cattle processors. USDA officials say the investments aim to improve processing access, expand market opportunities, and strengthen local and regional food supply chains. ...read more read less