# USDA Awards Kentucky Meat Processing Grants

On November 2, 2026, USDA Rural Development announced four Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program grants totaling nearly $800,000 for Kentucky processors. The awards support equipment and operational upgrades to expand processing capacity, improve food safety and efficiency, and increase livestock producers’ market access. Announced projects include an in-line X-ray process analyzer and processing, packaging, sanitation, material-handling, and production-management equipment. The announcement does not include a new solicitation or application deadline.

- The four awardees are Marksbury Farm Foods, LLC; Riverview Meat Company LLC; Kentucky Meatsmith LLC; and Central KY Custom Meats, Inc. The announcement points to funded demand for processing and quality-control equipment, but does not specify future procurements by the recipients.
- Equipment suppliers and service providers can use the funded project types to understand the capabilities Kentucky processors are investing in; the grants themselves are awards, not open contracting opportunities.
- The awards align with USDA’s stated goal of expanding local processing capacity and strengthening market access for livestock producers. Businesses interested in this program should not treat this announcement as an open application opportunity.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Topics:** Grants & Funding
**Published:** November 03, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- USDA Rural Development
- Rural Business-Cooperative Services

### Vendors
- Marksbury Farm Foods, LLC (MPPEP grant awardee)
- Riverview Meat Company LLC (MPPEP grant awardee)
- Kentucky Meatsmith LLC (MPPEP grant awardee)
- Central KY Custom Meats, Inc. (MPPEP grant awardee)

### Key Quotes
> Expanding local processing capacity means more competition, more options for our producers, and a stronger food supply chain.
> — Jonathan Shell, Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner

### Sources
- [USDA announces grants to expand meat processing, bolster supply chain in Kentucky | Rural Development](https://www.rd.usda.gov/newsroom/news-release/usda-announces-grants-expand-meat-processing-bolster-supply-chain-kentucky) - USDA