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Utah Food Security Processing Grant

Contact: Allison Ross, aross@utah.gov 

2024 Application Window: May 1 – 31, 2024


Background:

The Utah Food Security Processing Grant (UFSPG) was created in 2022 with a $1 million appropriation from the Utah State Legislature. With these funds, UDAF issued grants to Utah-based businesses to increase processing capacity of agricultural products produced in the state. UDAF received additional funding to continue this program during the 2023 and 2024 legislative sessions. 

The UFSPG covers expenses including processing equipment, coolers/freezers, contractor costs (plumbing, draining, electrical work), portion cutters, slaughter equipment, equipment or facilities to hold livestock before harvesting, sorting equipment, bottling equipment, etc.

 
Stakeholder Input:
 

UDAF is seeking input through April 15, 2024 to help determine priorities and eligibility criteria for the 2024 grant year.

2024 Utah Food Security Processing Grant Stakeholder Input Survey


Eligibility Requirements: 

Applicants must be licensed or registered processors located in Utah with fewer than 100 employees who are planning expanding a facility that meets one of the following criteria: 

  • State-inspected “equal to” slaughter and/or processing plant,
  • Licensed custom-exempt slaughter plant, 
  • Talmadge-Aiken (TA) or very small federally inspected plant,
  • dairy processor using milk produced in Utah, 
  • Fruit or vegetable processor that use fruits and vegetables that are grown, processed, and sold in Utah, or
  • Other food processor using raw agricultural products such as nuts, grains, legumes, etc. that are grown, processed, and sold in Utah and intended for human consumption. 

Applicants should understand that reimbursement amounts are based upon the applicable and reasonable project costs they provide.  Reimbursement will be provided up to the amount requested in the approved grant application, based on documented invoices or receipts that are provided to the Department.

Eligible expenses must make an immediate impact on the state’s capacity to process or store Utah-raised protein or Utah grown products including beef, pork, poultry, lamb, bison, fruit, vegetables, etc. Reimbursements will require actual or copies of receipts, expenses, or invoices. 

 

Eligible Expenses:

May include, but are not limited to:

  • Coolers/freezers 
  • Contractor costs (plumbing, draining, venting, electrical work) 
  • Portion cutters 
  • Processing equipment (smoking units, sausage stuffers, etc.) 
  • Slaughter equipment (cradles, saws, hooks, scalders, sinks, etc.) 
  • Equipment or facilities to hold livestock (fences, gates, chutes, etc.) 
  • Electronic sorting equipment (e.g. grading and sizing for apples, cherries, or peaches)
  • Bottling equipment for juices
  • *Expenses not eligible for reimbursement include salaries, fringe, supplies, and parts.

Information on how to apply will be posted by April 22, 2024

Important Dates:

  • Public Comment Period: March 25 – April 5, 2024
  • Applications Open: May 1, 2024
  • Application Close Date: May 31, 2024
  • Application Review Period: June 2024
  • Awards Announced: June – July 2024
  • Contracts signed and completed: July 2024    
  • Project Start Date: July 2024

Applications will be open May 1 – 31, 2024. Awards will be announced by June 30, 2024. For questions, please call Allison Ross at (385) 549-7987 or email at aross@utah.gov.


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