USDA and Alabama Award $5.9 Million to Projects that Strengthen Food Supply Chain Infrastructure

WASHINGTON, Nov. 8, 2024 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today announced it has partnered with Alabama to award $5.9 million for six 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 Alabama'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 Alabama's support strengthening local and regional agricultural supply chains."

Through this program, the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) will fund six Infrastructure Grants to support middle of the supply chain infrastructure. <_o3a_p>

Examples of Funded Projects:

• The Alabama State Association of Cooperatives in Gainesville, Ala., is receiving an infrastructure grant to partner with Tuskegee University Cooperative Extension, a local aggregator (Deep South Food Alliance), and multiple grower cooperatives throughout the Alabama Black Belt counties to advance cold chain and processing infrastructure for produce.<_o3a_p>
• Miller Family Dairy in Russellville, Ala., is using funding to construct and equip a new dairy processing facility that will transform raw milk into fluid milks, creams, butter and cheeses. Dairies within a 100-mile radius will also utilize this aggregation hub to distribute their milk and dairy products efficiently.<_o3a_p>
• Anderson Farms in Gordon, Ala., is receiving a RFSI grant to build a produce processing facility that will aggregate products from an additional 10 farms. The facility will also store and distribute seven new value-added products of fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables to supply local school systems. <_o3a_p>

"Since the COVID-19 pandemic, prioritizing this project has been essential for Alabama. Before its official launch, I reached out to the USDA to emphasize Alabama's need for funding to strengthen our local food supply chain," said Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Rick Pate. "We're proud to be one of the first states to gain approval for our state plan and announce sub-awards for the RFSI program. This initiative is a critical step forward in continuing to build Alabama's food supply chain."<_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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