Press Release
☷USDA Finalizes Voluntary “Product of USA” Label Claim to Enhance Consumer Protection
U.S. Department of Agriculture ( By Press Release office)
Mar 13,2024
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But wait , there ' s more! USDA is also giving out $9 . 5 million in grants to support 42 projects in the meat and poultry industry . These grants will help expand processing options and make sure our local farmers have a fair shot at competing . Plus , there are some new actions being taken to ensure transparency and fairness in the seed industry . So , what does this mean for you? Well , when you see that "Product of USA" label , you can trust that it ' s the real deal . And these changes are going to support local economies , create jobs , and give us more choices as consumers . It ' s a win - win for everyone!In addition , the USDA is awarding $9 . 5 million to 42 projects through the Local Meat Capacity ( Local MCap ) grant program . These funds are for Simplified Equipment Only projects . In April 2023 , the USDA announced up to $75 million available for the Local MCap program to support projects that improve the meat and poultry supply chain . This is part of a larger commitment to expand independent processing capacity and provide more options for farmers and consumers . The program is focused on supporting smaller - scale processors and increasing processing availability for local livestock producers . The program is administered by the Agricultural Marketing Service ( AMS ) with funding from the American Rescue Plan . The New Hampshire Community Loan Fund ( NHCLF ) is responsible for making grant awards and administering funds . Additional awards for both equipment and processing expansion grants will be announced later . This first set of awards for simplified equipment projects will fund the purchase of processing equipment such as meat grinders , stuffers , and smokers . For example: Yoder ' s Butcher Barn , a family - owned meat processing business in Maryland , is using grant funds from Local MCap to expand their operations . They plan to buy new equipment like a smokehouse , linker , mixer - grinder , patty machine , and saws to increase their capacity for processing beef and pork . This project will not only make their processing more efficient but also create a few new jobs and allow them to work with more local farmers . For more information on the Farmer Seed Liaison Initiative , you can visit the USDA Seed Liaison webpage . To learn more about Local MCap and see the full list of funded projects , you can visit the AMS Local MCap webpage . The USDA plays a positive role in the lives of Americans every day , touching various aspects of our lives . Nordik Meats , a small meat processing facility in Wisconsin , is also benefiting from Local MCap . They will be purchasing a grinder , meatball maker , and packaging equipment to help local producers create new products and increase the value of their animals . This investment will allow Nordik Meats to process 100% more livestock each year , implement new technologies , train existing staff , hire new employees , and support many small family farms in the area . The USDA is taking steps to promote fairness and competition in the seed industry through the Farmer Seed Liaison Initiative . This initiative aims to give farmers , small seed companies , and independent plant breeders a stronger voice in policy - making processes . The USDA has announced the launch of a Website Monitoring Program to ensure compliance with the Federal Seed Act . Regulatory specialists will be reviewing websites that advertise regulated seeds to make sure they are following the rules . The USDA will take a risk - based approach to enforcement , considering the impact and efforts made to comply . These actions are part of the USDA ' s ongoing efforts to improve transparency and support farmers in their seed choices . The USDA in the Biden - Harris Administration is working on transforming America ' s food system by focusing on local and regional food production , fairer markets for producers , access to safe and healthy food for all communities , creating new income opportunities for farmers using climate smart practices , investing in rural infrastructure and clean energy , and promoting equity within the Department . For more information , visit www . usda . gov . #USDA is an equal opportunity provider , employer , and lender .
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