USDA and Iowa Award $2.9 Million to Projects that Strengthen Food Supply Chain Infrastructure

WASHINGTON, Nov. 7, 2024 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today announced it has partnered with Iowa to award $2.9 million for 24 projects through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program (RFSI) to build resilience across the middle of the supply chain and strengthen local and regional food systems.<_o3a_p>

"Projects funded through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure program are building strength and resilience in Iowa's food system, diversifying agricultural markets, creating new revenue streams for small and mid-sized producers, and providing economic opportunities for local communities," said USDA Marketing and Regulatory Programs Under Secretary Jenny Lester Moffitt. "USDA is grateful for Iowa's support strengthening local and regional agricultural supply chains."

Through this program, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) will fund 24 projects, including four Infrastructure Grants and 20 Equipment Grants to support middle of the supply chain infrastructure.<_o3a_p>

Examples of Funded Projects:

• NewBo City Market is receiving an Infrastructure Grant to renovate their Cedar Rapids facility to add a processing kitchen and aggregation storage. This will increase Iowa agricultural products being stored, processed, and sold by underserved and beginning farmers.<_o3a_p>
• The Iowa Food Co-op in Des Moines, Iowa is using RFSI funding to purchase a commercial cooler, freezer, and delivery van to expand capacity for aggregation and distribution of wholesale orders to institutions and restaurants. The project is expected to create new markets for over 100 producers.<_o3a_p>
• Long Walk Farm in Council Bluffs, Iowa, is receiving funding to purchase equipment for value-added vegetable and produce processing, storage and delivery to schools, restaurants, and retail stores in southwest Iowa. This project will benefit additional farmers in the region through purchases and custom processing and create three new full-time jobs.<_o3a_p>

This awarded funding is part of the $420 million available through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure grant program to build capacity within the middle of the supply chain and support local and regional producers. It is funded by President Biden's American Rescue Plan. Through this program, AMS has entered into cooperative agreements with state agencies, commissions, or departments responsible for agriculture, commercial food processing, seafood, or food system and distribution activities or commerce activities in states or U.S. territories.

For more information, visit the AMS Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure webpage. The status of each state and territory's RFSI program is available on the program's State Grant Webpage.

AMS administers programs that create domestic and international marketing opportunities for U.S. producers of food, fiber, and specialty crops. AMS also provides the agriculture industry with valuable services to ensure the quality and availability of wholesome food for consumers across the country and globally. AMS services and its significant grant investments create opportunities by supporting American farmers, ranchers and businesses across the supply chain, and drive economic development in small towns and rural communities.

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USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America's food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.

Get the latest Agricultural Marketing Service news at www.ams.usda.gov/news.

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