On June 3, 2026, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins launched the Small Processors Action Plan, a new set of actions to better support small and very small meat and poultry processing plants, improve customer service and reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens while maintaining strong food safety protections for consumers.

USDA is now accepting applications for the fourth round of the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP) to expand US meat and poultry processing.

Rollins said the new action plan is a step toward rebuilding the domestic beef industry, and the actions in the Small Processors Action Plan modernize USDA’s approach to the people and small businesses who process American locally grown beef and protein.

“We are removing overly burdensome red tape, improving service, and giving small plants the clarity and support these businesses need to operate safely, grow, and compete,” said Rollins. “By expanding local processing capabilities, we’re continuing to bolster our domestic producers, which are central to the President’s Make America Healthy Again agenda.”

“President Trump ended the war on protein. Real American beef is back on the menu,” said US Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. “USDA’s Small Processors Action Plan will strengthen our food supply, expand access to high-quality protein, and support American farmers and ranchers. That’s how we Make America Healthy Again.”

Both the Small Processors Action Plan and the additional $60 million in funding for the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program build on USDA’s Plan to Fortify the American Beef Industry.

Small Processors Action Plan:

Small and very small plants make up the majority of federally inspected establishments and play a critical role in local economies, rural communities and the resilience of the nation’s food supply. These actions being announced by USDA are designed to make it easier for these businesses to interact with the agency, get timely answers, and resolve issues, without weakening inspection or food safety standards.

Improving customer service and responsiveness:

• Creating clearer, easier ways for small plants to submit and track appeals and requests
• Establishing dedicated support to help small businesses navigate processes and get timely responses
• Expanding access to assistance for plants with limited technology or connectivity

Making requirements clearer and easier to navigate:

• Updating and expanding plain-language guidance by FSIS, tailored to small and very small plants
• Improving visibility of available support, escalation paths and points of contact
• Launching simpler tools to help plants engage with USDA systems

Reducing unnecessary burden while maintaining food safety:

• Streamlining processes related to FSIS inspection staffing concerns and appeals
• Improving consistency and clarity across the field through targeted training and guidance
• Strengthening coordination with the Small Business Administration to ensure small plants are aware of available resources

USDA will begin rolling out these improvements immediately and will continue engaging with small and very small plants to ensure the changes are effective and responsive to real-world needs.

The Meat Institute supports the new action plan. “We appreciate the Food Safety and Inspection Service’s work to streamline and improve its communication and operations within small processing facilities,” said Meat Institute President and CEO Julie Anna Potts. “Small and very small processors provide jobs and invest in rural communities. They face unique challenges, with employees taking on many roles within a facility. These improvements should create real opportunities for growth and will improve daily operations.

“This plan will be especially beneficial to small beef processors who have been losing money due to the record high cost of cattle and other economic factors. The Meat Institute will continue to work with FSIS as it implements these changes to ensure they are effective and beneficial to our small and very small members.”

Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program:

The USDA Rural Business and Cooperative Service published a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for $60 million to fund a fourth phase of the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program to help eligible meat and poultry processors expand their capacity, encourage competition and sustainable growth in the US meat processing sector, and to help improve supply chain resiliency. Available funding will be divided equally into two separate competitions: one for Small and Very Small Processors and one for Intermediate Processors.

Eligible applications include for-profit organizations, nonprofit organizations, producer-owned cooperatives, tribes, and tribal entities. Privately-owned entities must be independently owned and operated, and all entities must be domestically owned. Additionally, the applicant’s processing facility must be physically located and operating in the United States or its territories. The applicant’s facility must primarily process cattle in order for the project to be eligible for the program; however, funds or equipment may be used for processing meat and poultry at the facility.

Additional information is available on USDA’s MPPEP website, and electronic applications must be submitted through Grants.gov.

Source: USDA