USDA is expanding its effort to strengthen domestic meat, poultry and seafood processing with two initiatives aimed at increasing competition, creating market opportunities and boosting processing capacity across the country.
Through the Strengthening Processing for U.S. Ranchers (SPUR) Guaranteed Loan Program, USDA is making at least $5 billion available through USDA-backed loans for meat, poultry and seafood processors. The department also announced plans to invest $57.4 million through the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP) to help independent processors expand operations in 40 states.