USDA Invests $9.3 Million in Meat Processing Infrastructure to Strengthen Food Supply Chain, Increase Competition, and Lower Food Prices

Submitted

TOPEKA – U.S. Department of Agriculture Kansas Rural Development Director Christy Davis announced today that the USDA is investmenting $9,317,034 in two Kansas communities that will strengthen food supply chains, increase independent meat and poultry processing capacity, and lower food costs.

“The USDA is committed to the needs of hardworking producers and small businesses that keep rural communities strong,” said Davis. “The USDA is working to give farmers and ranchers a chance to compete in the marketplace, which will increase local food options and lower costs for Kansas families.”

The investments are being made through the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP) as part of a larger national announcement that includes projects in 14 other states. The details of the two Kansas projects are:

· A $2,445,654 grant will help build a new USDA-inspected beef and hog processing facility for Top End LLC dba TEAM Processing of Kanorado. The western Kansas facility will provide fee-for-service processing to over 50 local producers, including offering Organic Certification and processing of non-amenable species such as buffalo and yak, so producers can access new and better markets. TEAM processing will also offer on-site retail for local consumers.The project is expected to create 19 new jobs.

· A $6,871,380 grant will help construct, equip, and obtain a grant of inspection for a slaughter and fabrication facility, serving an estimated 100 producers in Kansas and Missouri, for Real Kansas Meats LLC of Fall River. The project is expected to create 117 new full-time jobs.

The USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, promoting competition and fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.