The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) is  accepting applications for the Utah Food Security Processing Grant program. During the 2023 General Session, UDAF was appropriated $1,000,000 by the Utah Legislature for the second year to provide grants to small meat, poultry, and fruit and vegetable processors to make immediate impacts to processing capacity to improve local food security.

“UDAF recognizes the great importance of having a secure food supply for the people of Utah,” said Craig Buttars, UDAF Commissioner. “In order to ensure food security in our state, it is imperative that we encourage an increase of food processing. We are proud to continue to provide this grant another year to continue to improve Utah’s food security.”

UDAF is seeking applicants with fewer than 100 employees who plan to expand an existing facility to increase their processing capacity to meet current demand, protect the security of the food supply, and help ensure more Utah-produced food is processed in-state. This program will reimburse processors for a portion of expenses to expand and improve existing facilities. Grant amounts will be dependent on the total amount of eligible applications received and approved with a maximum grant award of $200,000. $1,000,000 of grant funding is currently available for this program.  Applications are due May 31, 2023 and grant recipients will be announced by June 26, 2023.

Interested applicants can find more information and the application by visiting ag.utah.gov/foodsecuritygrant.