Seven small businesses in five counties across the Commonwealth receive grants to increase opportunities for farmers and food processors to stay competitive.
Harrisburg, PA – Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding today announced the 2024-2025 awards of $592,282 in Very Small Meat and Poultry Processor Reimbursement Grants to seven small businesses in five counties. Grants reimburse small businesses for costs associated with opening, expanding, or obtaining inspections from the USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service.
“This grant helps small meat and poultry processors meet growing demand from customers who want to buy local and keep their purchasing power at home, where it feeds their local economy,” said Secretary Redding. “By investing in hometown food processing businesses, the Shapiro Administration is not only increasing opportunities for farmers and food processors to stay competitive, we are shortening supply chains, reducing transportation costs, and ensuring a more reliable, sustainable food supply in Pennsylvania.”
Since 2019, Pennsylvania has supported the expansion of 54 small businesses, investing more than $3.2 million through Very Small Meat and Poultry Processor Grants. The grants are just one of the $13.8 million in PA Farm Bill investments Governor Josh Shapiro has made each year since taking office, providing critical funds for rebuilding the workforce, and expanding processing infrastructure and marketing opportunities for the industry.
The Shapiro Administration has continued to recognize Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry is key to the Commonwealth’s economic development and has prioritized investments in agriculture, including:
· Creating the first statewide economic development strategy in nearly two decades with agriculture at the forefront.
· Securing $10 million in state funding for the first-of-its-kind Agriculture Innovation Program, driving investments in cutting-edge solutions and technologies that will shape the future of agriculture.
· Investing $1 million to create a new, one of the first-of-its kind Organic Center for Excellence to empower and support organic farmers and businesses and signed legislation creating a PA Preferred Organic™ brand for locally grown organic agricultural products.
Grant recipients announced today, business locations, and grant amounts are as follows:
Bradford County
Le Raysville Meat and Cheese, Le Raysville – $78,878
Centre County
Mark’s Custom Meats, Howard – $50,854
Penns Valley Meat Market, Millheim – $84,225
Dauphin County
Moin Halal Meat, Harrisburg – $100,000
Westmoreland County
B & P Quality Meats, Hunker – $93,769
Weimer Meats – $84,556
York County
Cabin Hollow Butcher Shop, Dillsburg – $100,000
For past recipients of PA Farm Bill grants in your region at agriculture.pa.gov.
Find information on funding opportunities through all PA state agencies, and learn more about Shapiro Administration investments in a thriving future for Pennsylvania agriculture, at pa.gov/governor.
# # #