USDA and Hawaii Award $2.6 Million to Projects that Strengthen Food Supply Chain Infrastructure

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2, 2024 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today announced it has partnered with Hawaii to award $2.6 million for 17 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 Hawaii'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 Hawaii's support strengthening local and regional agricultural supply chains."

Through this program, the Hawaii Department of Agriculture will fund 17 projects, including four Infrastructure Grants and 13 Equipment Grants to support middle of the supply chain infrastructure.<_o3a_p>

Examples of Funded Projects:

• The Hawaiʻi ʻUlu Producers Cooperative in Hilo, Hawaiʻi, will make infrastructure upgrades to its Alae Postharvest Facility, a food hub shared by multiple producer organizations, representing underserved, veteran, and beginning farmers. The project will increase crop aggregation and chill storage capacity eight-fold and dehydration capacity ten-fold, benefiting hundreds of producers and thousands of consumers statewide. <_o3a_p>
• Kumano I Ke Ala o Makaweli, a Native Hawaiian-led non-profit in Waimea, Kauaʻi, will modernize poi production by purchasing equipment, streamline manufacturing and delivery systems, and acquiring cold storage for raw lūʻau leaf processing. Refrigerated vans will distribute the traditional Hawaiian food products, supporting economic and preserving cultural sustainability in the region.<_o3a_p>
• JYY Inc., dba Maui Upcountry Jams and Jellies, in Kula, Maui, will acquire new refrigeration equipment to enhance the efficiency and safety of preserving jams and jellies produced at its 2.5-acre farm. This RFSI grant will significantly improve the company's supply chain operations to process, aggregate, store, and distribute thousands of jars of products in local and export markets.

"This RFSI initiative offers Hawai'i a unique opportunity to strengthen processing capacity across our island state, while adding value to locally grown products," said Sharon Hurd, Chairperson of the Hawai'i Board of Agriculture. "Through this grant program, agricultural businesses in both rural and urban areas will receive support to scale up their new and existing products, open up market opportunities, create jobs, and generate new revenue streams."

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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