Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program

The RFSI Infrastructure Grant application period is now closed. Equipment-Only Grants will open soon.

The Department has been funded through the USDA RFSI program to expand statewide capacity and infrastructure for the aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storage, transporting, wholesaling, or distribution of targeted local and regional agricultural food products (excluding meat and poultry products).

Using RFSI funding, AGM has partnered with Farm and Food Growth Fund, Inc (FFGF) to administer the grant program to fund projects that expand statewide capacity and infrastructure for the aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storage, transporting, wholesaling, or distribution of targeted local and regional agricultural food products (excluding meat and poultry products). Successful projects will focus on increasing the supply of New York-sourced food products available in New York and regional markets. Competitive project applications will benefit multiple producers and multiple markets.

AGM has also partnered with Northeast Farmers of Color Land Trust (NEFOC) to provide technical assistance to producers and conduct supply chain coordination activities. Additionally, the Dyson Business School at Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences [BH(3] will conduct an updated assessment of New York State processing infrastructure to identify barriers and opportunities for growth, as well as an analysis of the State’s institutional purchasing to provide market information to New York State producers.

Two grant opportunities will be available for New York agricultural businesses:

Infrastructure Grants: This competitive opportunity is focused on funding infrastructure for the aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, or distribution of locally produced agricultural food products (excluding meat and poultry products). Applications may be submitted for projects ranging from $100,000 - $3,000,000. Applications must include match funds of 50% or 25% for historically underserved groups.

Equipment-Only Grants: This competitive opportunity is focused on funding equipment for the aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, or distribution of agricultural food products (excluding meat and poultry products). Eligible applicants may request awards in the amount of $10,000 - $100,000. No match is required for Equipment-Only Grants. 

Middle of the supply chain refers to the processing, aggregation, storage, wholesaling, or distribution of products.

• Support infrastructure development to expand business' capacity for processing, aggregation, storage and distribution.
• Target development of infrastructure projects to the dairy, fruit and vegetable, and organic industries to support the development of new value-added products.
• Create greater market access to intermediaries such as food hubs, aggregators, wholesalers, and distributors with the goal of increasing local food sales to institutions such as schools, hospitals, and correctional facilities.

Equipment-only grants will be launched after the Infrastructure Grant Program. These awards will be $10,000 - $100,000. Equipment must be used for post-harvest aggregation, processing, packing, or distribution of eligible agricultural products.

Equipment-only grants are anticipated to be released in 2025 - check back for more information soon.

To keep informed of grant opportunities, signup for the Department’s Monthly Harvest Newsletter or visit our Funding Opportunities page.