Grants & Financial Options

USDA is committed to supporting meat, poultry and egg establishments of all sizes. Below are available federal opportunities for financial and technical assistance, as well as resources available through private institutions and the broader community.

Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Grants

The Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grant (MPIRG) helps currently operational meat and poultry slaughter and processing facilities obtain a Federal Grant of Inspection or operate as a State-inspected facility under a Cooperative Interstate Shipment (CIS) program. The MPIRG focuses on improving capacity and efficiency, developing new and expanding existing markets, maintaining strong inspection and food safety standards, and many other aspects of meat and poultry production.

The Local Food Promotion Program offers grants that are available to improve local food enterprises including meat processors. These grants must be matched by 10 or 25 percent from other sources before the grant can be awarded.

Farm Service Agency Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP)

The Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP) provides coverage for cost for organic certification to producers and handlers. Meat processors fall under processors and can be eligible for up to $500 per certification scope.

Rural Development Business Programs

USDA's Rural Development (RD) provides financial backing and technical assistance to stimulate business creation and growth. RD offers programs through partnerships with public and private community-based organizations and financial institutions to provide financial assistance, business development, and technical assistance to rural businesses. These programs help to provide capital, equipment, space, job training, and entrepreneurial skills that can help to start and/or grow a business.

Business Programs also support the creation and preservation of quality jobs in rural areas. Loans, loan guarantees, and grants are available to individuals, businesses, cooperatives, farmers and ranchers, public bodies, non-profit corporations, Native American Tribes, and private companies in rural communities. The financial resources of the Business Programs are often leveraged with those of other public and private credit source lenders to meet business and credit needs in under-served areas. The funding is intended to help improve the quality of life in rural communities by enhancing economic opportunities and ensuring self-sustainability for generations to come.

Rural Development Business Programs:

You can also read the RD Fact Sheet for Meat Processors.

USDA Support for Meat and Poultry Supply Chain

USDA is working to build a fairer, more competitive and resilient meat and poultry supply chain.

Discover Available Resources

USDA Invests in Workforce Training

More than $14 million is available to support agricultural workforce training to bolster U.S. meat and poultry sector.

Read the Announcement

“USDA is shifting the balance of power back to the communities and small businesses of America by investing in ways we can build more, better and fairer markets for farmers and families alike.”

—Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack

Small Business Administration (SBA) Loans and Programs

The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers three options of loans guarantees for qualifying small meat processors. A meat processor qualifies for these SBA programs based on the number of employees at the establishment:

Slaughter, excluding poultry, 1,000 or fewer
Meat processing from carcasses, 1,000 or fewer
Rendering and meat byproduct processing, 750 or fewer
Poultry processing, 1,250 or fewer

The 7(a) loan program can be used for working capital, refinancing, revolving funds, purchases of equipment and supplies, the purchase of real estate, construction and renovation, establishing a new business, or assisting in acquisitions, operation, or expansion of an existing. 7(a) loans are for a maximum of $5 million with an 85 percent guarantee on loans up to $150,000 and 75 percent guarantee on loans over $150,000.

504 guarantees can be used for major fixed assets including purchase or construction of existing buildings or land, new facilities, and long-term machinery and equipment. 504 guarantees are for a maximum of $5 million with maturities for 10 to 25 years.

Microloan guarantees are to be used for small improvements including rebuilding, re-opening, repairs. These guarantees have a maximum value of $50,000.