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Grants to expand meat processing in OregonGrants to expand meat processing in Oregon

14 processors in the state have been awarded funds.

Farm Press Staff

May 28, 2024

2 Min Read
Meat processing
Meat is processed in Oregon.Oregon State University

Oregon has chosen 14 processing facilities to receive portions of $8.6 million set aside for enhancing the state’s capacity, particularly for locally grown meats.

The money was allocated by the state Legislature and distributed by the Oregon Department of Agriculture.

“This is the second major investment the state is making in meat processing in Oregon,” ODA Director Lisa Charpilloz Hanson said. “Our beef industry is significant contributor to the national livestock supply chain, but much of the economic opportunity is lost because the processing is out of the state. The grant program is a strategic move to address limitations in the processing sector. Its aim is to retain value, create jobs, and improve the availability of services for our ranchers and local communities, therby strengthening the local food system.”

ODA received 43 grant applications requesting $27 million in grant funds toward $82.6 million in projects that add, upgrade, or expand processing facilities around the state.

The 14 awardees of the grant are spread across the state ensuring a wide geographical impact. These businesses will either fall under federal inspection or come under the new state inspection program. They will handle a variety of livestock species.

ODA projects that the collective enhancements in meat processing will lead to an additional 3.5 million pounds of locally sourced meat being accessible to communities throughout Oregon annually.

This increase in availability is expected to have a positive impact on the local communities, ensuring a steady supply of high-quality, locally sourced meat.

The Oregon Meat Processing Infrastructure and Capacity Building Grant was available to meat processing businesses operating under U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspection or planning to come under the new Oregon State Meat Inspection Program.

In 2020 the Oregon Legislature allocated funding to ODA to start an Oregon State Meat Inspection Program. The program began inspecting its first licensee in July 2022.

For more information about the Oregon State Meat Inspection Program, visit ODA’s Oregon Meat Initiative web page.

Source: Oregon Department of Agriculture

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