USDA Invests $32 Million to Strengthen Supply Chain

The November meeting was well attended with 10 members present. Brenda led group in the invocation, pledge and creed. The group was proud to announce the winners of the quilts: Glenda Armstrong won the Kaleidoscope, queen size and Ernest Copeland won the Rail Fence, regular size. Congratulations to the winners and thank you to all who bought tickets. The money will be used for scholarship funds and donations to the Boys and Girls Ranch as well as to two children’s homes. Officers for 2022 are as follows: Ann Sleep, President; Sondra Jack, Vice President; Joan Key, Secretary and Carol Church, Treasurer. The Christmas Party will be December 7 at the Corteses starting at 5:30 with everyone bringing their favorite holiday dish. Submitted by Joan Key Secretary

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USDA Invests $32M to Strengthen U.S. Food Supply Chain

Solidifies Commitment to Helping the Meat & Poultry Sector Recover

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced the investment of $32 million in grants awarded to 167 meat and poultry slaughter and processing facilities to support expanded capacity and efficiency through the Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grant (MPIRG) program.

“Today’s investment supports local and regional meat and poultry processors as they recover from the pandemic and also work to expand capacity,” Vilsack said. “Achieving a Federal Grant of Inspection or operating under a Cooperative Interstate Shipment program allows meat and poultry processors to ship products across state lines, pursue new market opportunities, and better meet consumer and producer demand along the supply chain.”

With this grant funding, meat and poultry processing businesses can cover the costs for improvements such as expanding existing facilities, modernizing processing equipment and meeting packaging, labeling, and food safety requirements needed to achieve a Federal Grant of Inspection under the Federal Meat Inspection Act or the Poultry Products Inspection Act, or to operate under a state’s Cooperative Interstate Shipment program. These changes will allow these facilities to serve more customers in more markets.

MPIRG, a new program authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, is jointly administered by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) and Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). The program was part of USDA’s comprehensive funding package to help small and very small processing facilities weather the pandemic, compete in the marketplace, and get the support they need to reach more customers.

In June 2021, USDA announced the availability of $55.2 million in MPIRG funding, accepting applications for a competitive grant award process which resulted in today’s awards. Remaining funds will be made available through a forthcoming Request for Applications.