Overview
CT Resilient Food System Infrastructure Webinar
Password: YfPMmWr3View Recording
Northeast Farmers of Color Land Trust Slides Contact: gaby@nefoclandtrust.org
Small Business Development Center Slides Contact: ctsbdc.uconn.edu | 877-723-2828
Office Hours
Wednesdays from 3-4 pm until April 3, 2024.
Please note that office hours for Wednesday, March 27 have been canceled.
Join via web
Join by phone: +1-408-418-9388 United States Toll
Access code: 132 634 2590
Information about Resilient Food System Infrastructure (RFSI)
The United States Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service (USDA AMS) is partnering with states to invest in food supply chain resilience, farm and food business market access, and value-added agriculture industry development.
As a targeted investment in the middle of the food supply chain, RFSI aims to fill supply chain gaps. Funds will support expanded capacity for the aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, and distribution of locally and regionally produced food products, including specialty crops, dairy, grains for human consumption, aquaculture, and other food products, excluding meat and poultry.
“Middle of the Supply Chain” refers to many activities that occur post growing and harvesting to the point that the product reaches the market including but not limited to aggregation, transportation, processing and manufacturing, including value-added products, and distribution. In the image below, this is steps two (2) and three (3): processing and aggregation/distribution.
Source: USDA
QUICK FACTS
Connecticut Funding: $2,739,027, approximately $2,160,000 will be made available for grants. There will be technical assistance available throughout the application process and project implementation.TIMELINE
Key Dates (subject to change)
February 7, 2024 |
Applications open for submission |
February 20, 2024 | Grant Webinar with Q&A Register HERE |
April 10, 2024 | Deadline to submit application |
May 2024 | Applicants notified of preliminary funding decisions |
May 2024 | Connecticut Department of Agriculture submits State Plan to USDA-AMS |
July 2024 | Anticipated date of grantees notified of AMS decisions. Adjustments may be required subject to AMS approval. |
September 2024 | Anticipated contract start date. |
All projects must conclude by May 2027