USDA Grants to Further Strengthen Missouri Meat and Poultry Supply Chains

This year's awards will fund projects in 37 states. The funding will help strengthen and develop new market opportunities for meat and poultry processors throughout the United States. To further these efforts, AMS is also encouraging MPIRG awardees and eligible participants in USDA's Meat and Poultry Supply Chain initiatives to request assistance through the Meat and Poultry Processing Capacity Technical Assistance Program (MPPTA). Launched in March 2022, MPPTA connects participants to a nationwide network of resources and expertise.

"The Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grants will help meat and poultry processors make necessary facility improvements, expand their businesses, and strengthen the nation's food supply chain," said Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. "These grants are one part of USDA's Meat and Poultry Supply Chain initiatives and will contribute to our efforts to transform our food system."

"USDA continues to build capacity and increase economic opportunity for small and midsized meat and poultry producers across the country," added Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Lester Moffitt.

In Missouri, projects funded this round include:

• REIS MEAT PROCESSING INC., Jackson, $200,000. Reis Meat Processing Inc. is a very small slaughter and processing plant. While their annualized growth rate has been 32% recently, the facility is lacking key modernization necessary to help achieve the USDA status needed to expand any further and comply with FSIS protocols. In this project, Reis Meat Processing Inc proposes new equipment to increase processing capacity and improve workplace safety, FSIS compliance, and efficiency. They also propose the addition of facilities plumbing, and HVAC for FSIS personnel and employee welfare space.
• Fair Play Fine Meats LLC, Fair Play, $200,000. Fair Play Fine Meats LLC is a very small beef and pork slaughter and processing plant. As a local business started in 2021, they offer State Inspected slaughter and processing services and produce various types of value-added and fresh cut meat products. While their annualized growth rate has been strong recently, the facility is lacking key modernization necessary to help achieve the CIS status needed to expand any further and comply with FSIS protocols.
• J-H CATTLE, LLC, Joplin, $200,000. J-H Cattle, LLC offers Custom Exempt Processing services and produces various types of value-added and fresh cut meat products. While their annualized growth rate has been 100% recently, the facility is lacking key modernization necessary to help achieve the USDA status needed to expand any further and comply with FSIS protocols. In this project, J-H Cattle, LLC proposes upgrades to food preparation and loading dock areas to increase food safety and handling compliance with FSIS standards while increasing capacity.
• Von Allmen Processing, Thayer, $200,000. VonAllmen Processing is a small, family-owned Custom Exempt processing plant that opened in January, 1976. They will use the MPIRG grant to become CIS inspected under the state of Missouri. Becoming CIS inspected will allow VonAllmen Processing to better serve local livestock producers and consumers. Due to their facility's age, it is in need of updating to meet the strict inspection standards, including noncontact food surfaces. Facility updates proposed include new equipment, replacement of walls, covering of surface rust and exposed wood, and replacement of cut tables. Due to FSIS requirements involving separation of products, they plan to install an addition to the current chill cooler.
• Tom's Slaughter House, Montreal, $200,000. Tom's Slaughter House is a small livestock slaughter and processing facility that provides custom meat processing services to livestock producers and hunters and also offers retail products for customers. By completing a Federal Grant of Inspection, they will be able to expand their geographic region for processing and sales. Updated Equipment is also necessary for Federal inspection as official and unofficial establishments must keep custom exempt operations separate and apart from any Federal inspected operations (per 9 CFR 303.1(a)(2)(ii) code).
• LEGACY MEATS CO LLC, Verona, $200,000. Legacy Meats Co LLC is a very small beef and pork slaughter and processing plant. As a family-owned business originally started in 2017, they operate an approximately 4,500 sq. ft. facility with 6 employees. Legacy Meats Co LLC offers Custom Exempt slaughter and processing services and produces various types of value-added and fresh cut meat products. While their annualized growth rate has been 100% recently, the facility is lacking key modernization necessary to help achieve the CIS status needed to expand any further and comply with FSIS protocols.
• Hermann Wurst Haus, LLC. Hermann, $200,000. Hermann Wurst Haus, LLC is a specialty meat processing company. With a robust store and deli, and the support of Hermann's tourism, the processing facility is in a strong position to expand sales into other states through the CIS program by meeting compliance and being selected to participate in the program. Currently in the CIS inspection process, having finished the Missouri Dept of Agriculture Food Safety Assessment, this grant will allow the company to finalize necessary upgrades per the assessment, meet the CIS compliance, and prepare for the increased shipping demands. Phase II upgrades include improved packaging equipment and freezer storage, enhanced cooling and venting system, and facility improvements to meet safety standards.
• Morning Glory Farms, LC, Blackwater, $100,000. Morning Glory Farms produces and finishes beef for slaughter, and currently operates as a state-inspected facility with HACCP plans in place to for beef biltong and to package raw Intact meat. After initial intent to sell to institutions was thwarted by COVID reductions in institutional purchasing, Morning Glory Farms sought and obtained Missouri state inspections status in order to produce other value-added products for wholesale/retail sales and purchased additional equipment to produce beef biltong and bone broth. They used the first round of MPIRG funding to purchase equipment to begin manufacturing snack sticks, & complete their storefront with intent of obtaining CIS inspection for biltong. This MPIRG funding will be used to convert a storage space to accommodate a packaging/shipping area to support attainment of a grant of CIS inspection. The grantee will also add pork, lamb & other value-added products for its growing customer base.

Facility improvements and expansions funded through MPIRG will help processors obtain a Federal Grant of Inspection or qualify for a state's Cooperative Interstate Shipment program. 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, develop new markets, increase capacity, and better meet consumer and producer demand along the supply chain.

MPIRG recipients and other eligible participants, especially small and underserved stakeholders, in USDA's Meat and Poultry Supply Chain initiatives are encouraged to take advantage of the broad technical assistance offered through MPPTA. AMS has cooperative agreements with six organizations to form the MPPTA network, which has already provided valuable assistance to over 300 businesses and organizations across the U.S. and its territories since its launch earlier this year.