Overview
Please note that the application period for business to apply for this opportunity is not open yet.
The Department is eligible to receive nearly $20 million through a new United States Department of Agriculture and Markets (USDA) grant opportunity. Funds will be used to provide grants for infrastructure projects that strengthen the New York food system by expanding capacity and infrastructure for the aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, or distribution of targeted local and regional agricultural products.
- Funding is provided through the USDA as authorized in Section 1001(b)(4) of the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021
- The overall goal of RFSI is to create more and better processing, aggregation, and distribution options for local and regional producers across the specialty crops, dairy, grain (for food), and other sectors
- A total of $19.38M is available to the Department
- Funding expires May 2027
Priorities and Objectives
The purpose of the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) program is to build resilience in the middle of the food supply chain, provide more and better markets to small farms and food businesses, and support the development of value-added products for consumers, fair prices, fair wages, and new and safe job opportunities.
The USDA is entering into cooperative agreements with states across the country to provide up to $420 million of American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding. The goal of the program is to keep profits circulating in rural communities and increase diversity in processing options in terms of business model approaches, geography, and availability to underserved communities
Open Comment Period
The Department has held several webinars to help interested parties learn more about this grant opportunity. You can view the recordings, as well as the presentation, below.