$200K Grant to Help Family-Owned Meat Processing Business Recover from Devastating Fire, Pingree Announces

$200,000 USDA grant will help Nest & Mullen LLC rebuild their meat processing plant in Kennebunk that was destroyed by a fire in September 2020

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded a $200,000 grant to a small, family run meat processing business in Kennebunk. The USDA’s Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grant (MPIRG) will help Nest & Mullen LLC, a five-generation farm and butcher shop, rebuild their meat processing plant that was destroyed in a September 2020 fire. 

“After what was already a challenging and stressful year for so many hardworking

Mainers, it’s heartbreaking to see small businesses suffer the kind of tragedy Nest & Mullen did. That fire not only destroyed their plant, but it shook the foundation of their entire business and threatened their livelihood. Recovering from something like that is not easy. I’m so glad this resilient, Maine-tough business is getting the help they need to recover and rebuild so they can continue to be an integral part of their local economy and community,” said Congresswoman Pingree. 

A total investment of $32 million in grants was awarded to 167 meat and poultry slaughter and processing facilities in the U.S. to support expanded capacity and efficiency through the MPIRG program, the USDA announced on Monday. 

Pingree was an original cosponsor of the RAMP-UP Act, which directed the Agricultural Marketing Service of the USDA to provide grants to assist meat and poultry processing facilities in attaining federal food safety inspection. The bill was included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 and authorized the creation of the new MPIRG program to help small and very small processing facilities weather the pandemic, compete in the marketplace, and get the support they need to reach more customers.

In June 2021, USDA announced the availability of $55.2 million in MPIRG funding, accepting applications for a competitive grant award process which resulted in today’s awards. Remaining funds will be made available through a forthcoming Request for Applications.

Pingree, a long-time organic livestock farmer, serves on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture and the House Agriculture Committee.