USDA Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP-4) – FY 2026 Funding Overview
USDA Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP-4) – FY 2026
Funding Opportunity Number: RD-RBS-26-04
Funding Agency: USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service
Estimated Funding Available: $60,000,000
Award Range: $10,000 – $2,000,000
Application Deadline: August 7, 2026
Program Overview
The USDA Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program – Phase 4 (MPPEP-4) provides competitive grant funding to strengthen U.S. meat and poultry processing capacity, improve supply chain resilience, and support regional food systems.
Administered by the USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service, MPPEP-4 is focused on helping very small, small, and intermediate processors maximize the value and utilization of existing capacity, with an emphasis on local supply chains.
For FY 2026, USDA estimates approximately $60 million in funding will be available.
Two Funding Tracks Available
USDA will divide funding equally between two competitions:
- Very Small and Small Processors
- Intermediate Processors
Each competition will have its own ranking and award process.
Processing Expansion Projects
Processing Expansion Projects provide awards ranging from $50,000 to $2 million.
Funding may support:
- Equipment purchases over $250,000
- Facility improvements
- Facility upgrades
- Renovations
- Retrofits needed to install equipment
- Projects that increase or diversify processing capacity
Simplified Equipment-Only Projects
Simplified Equipment-Only Projects provide awards ranging from $10,000 to $250,000.
These projects are limited to equipment purchases and cannot include renovation, labor, installation, or certification costs.
Why Meat Processing Infrastructure Matters
Recent supply chain disruptions exposed the importance of regional processing capacity, operational flexibility, and resilient domestic food infrastructure.
Programs such as MPPEP-4 are intended to strengthen food and agricultural supply chains by supporting investments that:
- Increase processing capacity
- Improve supply chain resilience
- Support local and regional food systems
- Expand market opportunities for producers
- Improve operational efficiency
- Strengthen domestic food security infrastructure
For many processors, targeted equipment and facility investments can help reduce bottlenecks, improve throughput, and support longer-term competitiveness.
Cost Share Requirements
Applicants must provide matching contributions as part of the project.
- Processing Expansion Projects: 50% match requirement
- Simplified Equipment-Only Projects: 25% match requirement
Applicants must identify cost share sources in the application and verify matching funds before final award approval.
Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants include:
- Small businesses
- Producer-owned cooperatives
- Tribes
- Tribal entities
- Nonprofit organizations
- For-profit organizations
Applicants must be domestically owned, have operated for at least one year, and be currently engaged in primary cattle processing for commercial markets or toll processing.
Eligible facilities must be operating under an eligible federal or state meat inspection program.
Eligible Processor Categories
Applicants must meet USDA’s definitions for very small, small, or intermediate processors.
- Very Small Processor: Fewer than 10 employees or annual sales below $2.5 million
- Small Processor: 10 to 499 employees
- Intermediate Processor: 500 to 2,999 employees
Nationally dominant processors are not eligible under this funding opportunity.
Funding Details
- Funding Opportunity Number: RD-RBS-26-04
- Estimated Funding Available: $60 million
- Award Range: $10,000 to $2 million
- Application Deadline: August 7, 2026
How LEC Partners Supports Food Processing and Infrastructure Projects
Processing infrastructure projects require careful evaluation of operational readiness, equipment needs, supply chain assumptions, facility constraints, financing requirements, and long-term commercial viability.
LEC Partners supports organizations across agriculture, food processing, renewable systems, industrial biotechnology, and the broader bioeconomy with implementation-focused technical and commercial advisory services.
- Technical and commercial due diligence
- Facility and equipment assessment
- Supply chain and feedstock analysis
- Operational planning
- Feasibility studies
- Project development support
- Funding strategy assistance
Through our network of more than 150 subject matter experts, we help organizations reduce risk and improve project execution across agriculture, renewable fuels, biobased products, processing infrastructure, and industrial manufacturing.
Questions We Often Get About MPPEP-4 Funding
What types of projects are eligible under MPPEP-4?
Eligible projects include processing facility expansion, equipment purchases, facility upgrades, retrofits, and infrastructure improvements designed to increase or diversify processing capacity.
Can applicants apply for equipment-only funding?
Yes. Simplified Equipment-Only Projects support equipment purchases between $10,000 and $250,000, but cannot include renovation, labor, installation, or certification costs.
Are matching funds required?
Yes. Processing Expansion Projects require a 50% match, while Simplified Equipment-Only Projects require a 25% match.
Why is regional processing capacity important?
Regional processing infrastructure can strengthen food system resilience, improve producer market access, reduce supply chain bottlenecks, and support domestic food security.
Talk With an Expert
LEC Partners brings together more than 150 bioeconomy specialists to help clients reduce risk and move projects forward with confidence. Whether you need technology assessment, due diligence, or support from planning through startup, we can help.
Further Reading
LEC Insights
Current Federal Funding Opportunities
A regularly updated overview of federal funding opportunities supporting agriculture, infrastructure, and bioeconomy development.
Funding and Due Diligence
Independent technical and commercial diligence supporting investment and implementation readiness.
Project Development & Operations
Practical guidance supporting operational planning, commercialization strategy, and project execution.
Other Trusted Industry Sources
USDA Rural Development
USDA programs supporting rural infrastructure, agricultural development, and supply chain resiliency.
USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service
Federal inspection and food safety guidance for meat and poultry processing facilities.
Grants.gov Federal Funding Portal
Official federal funding portal for grant announcements and application submissions.
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