Source: NCDA&CS

Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler is pleased to announce the creation of the Increasing Meat Production Efficiency and Capacity (IMPEC) grant program, administered by the NCDA&CS. The $10 million grant program, which became law this month, is an effort to strengthen the meat supply chain and ensure consumers have adequate sources of protein. The program will also help counter limitations that occurred with fresh meat in the marketplace as consumers purchased more of their food from grocery stores because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

To ensure food security for North Carolina, the IMPEC initiative will address the vulnerability identified by this pandemic. The food animal industry represents about 70 percent of North Carolina’s agricultural economy. This program will support that industry by increasing efficiency and capacity of local small-scale meat processing facilities that will benefit the livestock producers, processors and consumers to ensure an uninterrupted supply of wholesome North Carolina meat products.

The NCDA&CS is proud of the strides North Carolina has taken to promote food production through the “Got to be NC” program.

We have seen that consumers are eager to buy local and support North Carolina farms.  The Got to be NC program will help connect recipients of this grant with consumers across the country.

Proposals can be for beef, pork, small ruminant and catfish processing facilities. Proposals should focus on stimulating the economy by increasing the capacity and efficiency of moving North Carolina produced meat from the farmer to the consumer.

The grant application and required forms can be downloaded fron the links below. Please note that grant proposals are due by close of business on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020

For more information, click here.