"Taste of Texas" is a state-origin logo and promotion program for companies producing products in Texas from Texas commodities. 700 companies participate members in the program. In the last five years, a financial assistance program has been developed to assist such value- added companies.

Texas has transformed the existing Texas Agricultural Finance Authority to focus on the developing processing and value-added enterprises for Texas-produced commodities. The program was given authority by the voters of Texas as Proposition 3 in 1995 to invest $225 million in a revolving 90% loan guarantee program for Texas agricultureal value-added companies. Loans can reach as high as $5 million.

TDA also has a Linked Deposit program providing reduced interest loans up to $500,000 or above, though the program encourages smaller loan applications.

In the past the Department also had a Business Development program to help famers put together new value-added/processing business plans. The popularity of this program exploded beyond the capacity of the Department. The function is now performed by Small Business Development Centers state-wide.