Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) Program
The Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA) was recently awarded funding from USDA AMS through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program (RFSI). Through this program, approximately $3.17 million will be available for competitive subaward grants to support the development of the middle-of-the-supply-chain for Arizona-based food and farm businesses.
Through the RFSI Program, AZDA will issue the following types of grants:
- Simplified Equipment-Only Grants (minimum of $10,000 and maximum of $100,000 for equipment only plus taxes and fees).
- Infrastructure Grants (minimum of $100,000 for personnel, equipment, supplies, construction, etc.).
These funds support expanding capacity for the aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, and distribution of local food products including specialty crops, dairy, grains for human consumption, aquaculture, and other food products, excluding meat and poultry.
For more information on the funding source, please visit the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service program webpage.
Public Comment
AZDA is seeking input from local stakeholders and the public to help determine priorities for this program. Public comment will be received through October 31, 2023.
Listening Sessions have been scheduled for the following dates and times:
September 28, 2023 at 2:30 p.m.
October 10, 2023 at 10:00 a.m.
Eligible Entities
Entities eligible for Infrastructure and Equipment-Only Grants are listed below.
- Agricultural producers or processors, or groups of agricultural producers and processors.
- Nonprofit organizations operating middle-of-the-supply-chain activities.
- Local government entities operating middle-of-the-supply-chain activities.
- Tribal governments operating middle-of-the-supply-chain activities.
- Institutions such as schools, universities, or hospitals bringing producers together to establish cooperative or shared infrastructure or invest in equipment that will benefit multiple producers middle-of-the-supply-chain activities.
Match Requirement for Infrastructure Grants
Infrastructure Grant recipients are required to contribute 50% of the total proposed project cost as a match to federal funding. This applies to all applicants except those who qualify for the reduced match described below.
For historically underserved farmers and ranchers, or for other businesses that qualify under Small Business Administration (SBA) categories of small disadvantaged business, women-owned small business, or veteran-owned small business, the required match funding contribution or cost share is reduced to 25% of the project cost.
Simplified Equipment-Only Grants do not require a match.
