USDA and Nebraska Award Over $2.5 Million to Projects that Strengthen Food Supply Chain Infrastructure

WASHINGTON, Aug. 15, 2024 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today announced it has partnered with Nebraska to award over $2.5 million for 15 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 Nebraska'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 Nebraska's support strengthening local and regional agricultural supply chains." <_o3a_p>

Through this program, the Nebraska Department of Agriculture will fund 15 projects, including seven Infrastructure Grants and eight Equipment Grants to support middle of the supply chain infrastructure. <_o3a_p>

Examples of Funded Projects:

• The Ho-Chunk Community Development Corporation will use an Infrastructure Grant to purchase equipment and expand facility space to help tribal farmers scale up their food production and processing which will ensure the tribal community has access to locally sourced, healthy food year-round.<_o3a_p>
• Family Service Lincoln's Community Crops program will increase access for underserved farmers by using an Equipment Grant to increase processing, cold storage, and transportation to wholesale and direct-to-consumer markets.<_o3a_p>
• Using Infrastructure Grant funding, City Sprouts will develop HarvestHub, a shared-use wash, pack, and processing facility in Omaha that will provide urban and peri-urban growers with a low-cost/free, food-safe indoor facility where they can efficiently wash, package, process, and store specialty crops before distribution to end-users.

This awarded funding is part of the $420 million available through Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure grant program to build capacity within the middle of the supply chain and support local and regional producers funded by the Biden-Harris Administration'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.<_o3a_p>

For more information and to view a complete list of awarded projects, 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.<_o3a_p>

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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