Resilient Food System Infrastructure Program
Funded Projects
Examples of what this program has supported.
Additionally, in May 2025, RFSI executed an accelerated timeline in response to OMB program review direction. This included several flexibilities that resulted in quicker AMS and State reviews and subsequent procurement and project execution. RFSI expects substantial completion of all Equipment Only grants by FY26 Q2 and is closely monitoring States’ Infrastructure Grant implementation that is to be substantially complete by early 2027.
As of mid-November 2025, more than 540 projects (approximately $100M) provided enhanced distribution capacity, including the purchase of more than 164 delivery vehicles, cargo vans, refrigerated trucks, etc.; More than 740 projects (approximately $177M) focus on increased capacity for processing a wide range of current and new value-added food products; and 341 projects (approximately $66M) increasing cold storage capacity for post-harvest aggregation, processing, and extended shelf life. As AMS continues to gather data from States, initial estimates include at least 43,000 producers and processers having greater access to more than 33,000 new markets and institutions.
Program Objective
The objective of the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program (RFSI) is to build resilience in the middle of the food supply chain, to provide more and better markets to small farms and food businesses, to support the development of value-added products for consumers, fair prices, fair wages, and new and safe job opportunities. The program is authorized by section 1001(b)(4) of the ARP (Pub. L. 117-2). RFSI is using non-competitive cooperative agreements to provide up to $420 million of ARP funding for states and territories via formula funding. The goal of the program is to keep profits circulating in rural communities and increase processing options in terms of business model approaches, geography, and availability to the American public.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- Other
Beneficiaries
- Other
Individual or groups of agricultural producers and processors, for-profit entities, nonprofit organizations, local government, tribal government, institutions (schools, universities, hospitals) operating middle-of-the-supply-chain activities such as processing, aggregation, and distribution of targeted agricultural products whose activities are primarily focused for the benefit of local and regional producers.
How to Apply
Award Procedure
AMS outlines the application requirements and merit review process in each grant program’s RFA. Applicants are required to use the RFA to apply for grant funds. After the application deadline has passed, applications are reviewed and scored against the benchmarks for high-quality proposals described in the RFA.
Decision Timeline
- Approval: From 30 to 60 days
Program details & compliance
Description
The Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program awarded funding to states to identify projects which build resilience across the middle-of-the-supply-chain and expand capacity for the aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, and distribution of food products, including specialty crops, dairy, grains for human consumption, aquaculture, and other food products, excluding meat and poultry.
Mission Categories
Primary: Production and Operation
Other categories:
Marketing Opportunities
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
State departments of agriculture awarded competitive Infrastructure and Equipment Only Grants (i.e., subawards) for projects to expand capacity and infrastructure for the aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, or distribution of targeted local and regional agricultural products and offer more and better market opportunities and new streams of revenue to small and mid-sized agricultural producers. Some States allocated up to 20% of its RFSI funding, or up to $1 million (whichever is smaller), for Supply Chain Coordination activities focusing on business support and market development benefiting local and regional food systems, to amplify the success and impact of the RFSI Infrastructure Grant investments.
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.
Matching Requirements
Competitive subawards - a graduated scale mandatory match on total project costs.
25-50%
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