The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food is awarding $1,000,000 through the Utah Food Security Processing Grant to Utah-based food and agriculture businesses to increase in-state processing of local agricultural products.

Grant awards of up to $200,000 are available. The application is simple and brief. Eligible expenses include equipment for food processing, bottling, cold storage, commodity grading/sorting, washing, labeling, packing, and more. At least $500,000 of funding will be awarded to meat and poultry businesses; $20,000 will be awarded through microgrants of $5,000 or less.

“We are excited to be able to provide this much needed grant for a third year,” said Craig Buttars, UDAF Commissioner. “We have seen huge success from the last two funding periods and know that this grant is making a positive difference in Utah’s food security.” 

Highlights of past funding rounds include:

  • A Wasatch County cheesemaker increased their processing capacity by 1,000lbs/week
  • A Rich County produce processor increased their production by 200%
  • A Utah County produce processor increased their packing capacity by 80%
  • A Weber County processor increased their production by over 800 beef and 300 pigs annually
  • A Utah County produce processor increased their freezer storage capacity by 900%

For more information and to apply, visit ag.utah.gov/foodsecurity. If any assistance is needed, please contact Allison Ross at aross@utah.gov.