The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) has announced the 2025 Utah Food Security Grant, allocating up to $1 million to enhance in-state processing of Utah-grown agricultural products, with a significant focus on meat and poultry.
Established in 2022, the Utah Food Security Grant (UFSG) program addresses infrastructure shortfalls and aims to increase consumer access to locally produced food. Over the past three years, the program has awarded $3 million to 56 businesses across the state, supporting local farms, ranches, and processing facilities while reducing food waste and transportation costs.
For 2025, individual grant awards are capped at $200,000, with no minimum award amount. Notably, at least $500,000 is earmarked specifically for meat and poultry businesses, and $20,000 is allocated for microgrants of $5,000 or less.
Eligible applicants include for-profit entities, non-profits, producer cooperatives, and state and local governments. All grant-funded activities must result in the sale of processed products; ineligible activities include homesteading, research, land purchases, and payroll.
Meat and poultry processors interested in applying must meet specific criteria, such as being a state-inspected “equal-to” slaughter and/or processing plant, a licensed custom-exempt slaughter plant, a Talmadge-Aiken (TA) or very small federally-inspected plant, or a USDA-inspected meat plant.
The grant covers expenses including processing equipment, coolers/freezers, contractor costs (plumbing, draining, electrical work), portion cutters, slaughter equipment, sorting equipment, and bottling equipment. A minimum 25% cost match is required, with applicants providing a 50% match receiving additional preference points during the evaluation process.
Applications are currently open and will close on June 8, 2025, at 11:59 PM. UDAF will host a Q&A session for prospective applicants on June 4, 2025, from 11 AM to 1 PM.
For more information or to apply, visit ag.utah.gov/foodsecuritygrant or contact Allison Ross at aross@utah.gov.
This initiative presents a significant opportunity for Utah’s meat and poultry processors to enhance their operations and contribute to a more resilient local food system.
