The state recently approved $500,000 in Small Meat Processor Grants to fund 15 projects that supply locally produced meat.
The grant program was established earlier this year as part of the Pennsylvania Farm Bill. It provides very small meat processors with reimbursement grants for the planning and start-up costs associated with meeting federal inspection and certification guidelines. A very small meat processor has less than 10 employees and sales of less than $2.5 million.
“Innovation in Pennsylvania agriculture is only rivaled by commitment,” Gov. Tom Wolf said. “These 15 grantees have demonstrated their commitment to feeding Pennsylvania and driving the industry forward through innovation.”
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding recently toured Republic Food Enterprise to learn how the company will use its $25,000 grant. The company will provide a mobile poultry processing trailer for Southwestern Pennsylvania.
Other companies receiving grants include $50,000 to each of the following:
Anthony O’Neil in Clarion County to help with the recent loss of the only local USDA inspected butcher, Hickory Ridge Custom Cuts in Wayne County to allow the butcher shop to produce specialized meats at a greater scale, Kip’s Processing in Allegheny County to create value-added products and increase donations to local charitable food systems, and N.S. Troutman & Sons in Snyder County to re-establish a butcher shop in the community that specializes in organic beef.