Regional Food Business Centers
Program Objective
This program supports regional food supply chains by creating Regional Food Business Centers (RFBC) to support coordination, technical assistance, and capacity building. The ultimate goals of the RFBCs are to: Expand and strengthen regional food systems networks and partnerships in response to hardships and vulnerabilities exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Increase food and farm business and financial acumen, particularly among small and mid-size operators, Create more, new, and better markets, and increase market awareness and access for small and mid-size producers and processors, Increase the number of local producers that distributors, retailers and foodservice buyers source from, either directly or through intermediaries. Increase the number of new food and farm businesses and improve the viability of existing businesses, and Increase the revenue of food and farm businesses served.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- Other
Eligible entities include producer networks, food councils, state agencies, regional authorities, tribal governments, institutions of higher education, nonprofits, and economic development corporations.
How to Apply
Award Procedure
AMS outlines the application requirements and review process in each program’s RFA. Applicants are required to use the RFA to apply for funds. After applications are received, AMS begins a process to evaluate eligibility, conduct a peer review process to evaluate the proposals, and determine funding awards. AMS also assesses the applicants’ ability to account for the use of Federal funds and monitor the performance associated with these monies.
Decision Timeline
- Approval: From 30 to 60 days
Program details & compliance
Description
The Regional Food Business Centers will be the backbone for local and regional supply chain development and offer coordination, technical assistance, and capacity building support to small and mid-sized food and farm businesses which will lead to more resilient, diverse, and connected supply chains. Regional Food Centers will have three main responsibilities – coordination, technical assistance, and capacity building.
Mission Categories
Primary: Marketing Opportunities
Other categories:
Food Supply Chain
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
Coordination - will act as regional hubs coordinating across geographic areas, with USDA, other State and Federal agencies with relevant resources, regional commissions, and the other Centers. This role will include a needs analysis, along with strategic and funding plans. Technical Assistance - will establish subawards to organizations to provide direct business technical assistance to small- and mid-sized food and farm businesses. Capacity Building – will provide financial assistance to support small projects that are unique to the region and may not be eligible for other USDA funding. These subawards may support staff time, business planning activities, software implementation, the purchase of special purpose equipment, and value chain coordination, and other expenses associated as outlined in the RFA.
Restrictions
Funds may not be use for the purchase of land, construction or rehabilitation of a building or structure.
Required Documentation
A cooperative agreement is entered between the AMS and the eligible entity that submits an application and is selected. OMB Guidance for Grants Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards at 2 CFR § 200 and 2 CFR § 400 applies to this program. 2 CFR § 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program.
Reporting & Compliance
Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts
- Subpart B — General Provisions
- Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart E — Cost Principles
- Subpart F — Audit Requirements