Washington, September 7, 2022 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will have access to approximately $400 million today through USDA’s new Community Food Business Center to provide critical local and regional food system coordination, technical assistance and capacity building services announced.
“The USDA Community Food Business Center will be a key new asset as we continue our efforts to strengthen and strengthen local and regional food systems across the country,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “The Community Food Business Center will serve as a cornerstone for USDA in developing regional and regional supply chains, building on lessons learned during the pandemic, providing technical assistance, and developing new markets in areas of greatest need. We create opportunities.”
USDA will fund at least six regional centers. This includes the National Tribal Center and at least one center serving each of three target areas: Colonia (a county on the U.S.-Mexico border), persistent poverty, or need. Other communities in high/limited resource areas. Centers in the Delta and Southeast, and high-need regions of Appalachia, and other regions of the country.
Regional Food Business Centers provide coordination, technical assistance, and capacity building to help farmers, ranchers, and other food businesses access new markets and navigate federal, state, and local resources. , thereby bridging the gap or barrier to success. Regional Food Business Centers support small and medium-sized producers and food and agri businesses with the goal of building a more resilient, diverse and competitive food system.
“USDA is committed to helping small producers, processors and distributors diversify economic opportunities in underserved communities,” said USDA Undersecretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs. One Jenny Lester Moffitt said: “The USDA Regional Food Business Center is committed to reducing barriers and connecting the supply chains of producers, processors and distributors in response to the challenges and vulnerabilities exposed by recent national emergencies, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic. improve and strengthen local food system networks and partnerships.”
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today issued a Request for Application (RFA) for this program. AMS solicits applications from organizations nationwide to develop regional food business centers that are geographically based and serve local needs. Applicants must define the geographic area to be served by the proposed regional food business center and identify priority areas of high need within that area. USDA plans to serve each of the following priority areas by establishing at least one regional food business center in the following regions:
- National Tribal Center
- Colonia (County on the U.S.-Mexico border)
- Persistent poverty or other high-need/resource-limited communities High-need areas in the Delta and the southeastern part of Appalachia
USDA will also award regional food business centers serving other regions of the country other than those specifically mentioned above.
Serving these high-need priority areas, Regional Food Business Centers identify farm-to-market links across the proposed geographic regions to reach different markets. Further application guidance is available at the RFA.
All applications to lead a Regional Food Business Center must be from a partnership of at least three eligible entities representing at least two eligible entity types. Eligible entities include producer networks or associations, food councils, tribal governments, state or local authorities, institutions of higher education, non-profit corporations, economic development corporations, and partnerships between one or more eligible entities. It is included.
Submission of application
Applications must be submitted electronically through www.grants.gov by 11:59 PM ET on November 22, 2022.Applications received after this deadline do not do Eligible for funding.
AMS encourages applications for initiatives that benefit small farms and ranches, new and novice farmers and ranchers, underserved growers, veteran growers, and underserved communities. Encourage. For grants intended to provide services to these organizations, applicants should involve and involve these beneficiaries in developing projects and applications. For more information on grant eligibility, please visit the Regional Food Business Centers Program web page or contact RegionalFoodCenters@usda.gov.
technical support
AMS provides technical assistance to new applicants to walk them through the process and provide tips for creating a successful application. For further assistance, please contact RegionalFoodCenters@usda.gov.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans every day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris administration, the USDA will transform America’s food system to create more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, safer, healthier and more nutritious food for all communities. The focus is on ensuring access to high quality food and building new markets and flows. Increasing incomes for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, removing systemic barriers, and making America a better place. Ensure equity across sectors by building a more representative workforce.
For more information on grant opportunities to strengthen and strengthen agricultural systems, visit the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service’s Grants and Opportunities webpage.
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