USDA Partners With Minnesota to Award Over $9.5 Million to Strengthen Food Supply Chain Infrastructure

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today announced it has a cooperative agreement with Minnesota under the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program (RFSI). Through this agreement, USDA and Minnesota are working together to offer over $9.5 million in competitive grant funding for projects designed to build resilience across the middle of the supply chain. Minnesota is accepting applications for this Infrastructure Grant funding through April 3, 2024.

“This partnership between USDA and Minnesota is allowing critical funding to reach areas of the supply chain that need it most,” said USDA Marketing and Regulatory Programs Under Secretary Jenny Lester Moffitt. “The projects funded through this program will create new opportunities for the region’s small and midsize producers to thrive, expand access to nutritious food options, and increase supply chain resiliency.”

Using RFSI funding, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture will increase resilience in the state’s food system by creating more and better supply chain options for local and regional producers. Funded projects will focus on the construction and improvement of supply chain facilities; more options for aggregation, processing, storage, and distribution of locally produced food; increased knowledge and skills for food businesses thanks to direct technical assistance; and more market opportunities for local and regional producers. The state’s priorities are informed by stakeholder engagement and outreach to underserved producers to better understand their needs.

“The RFSI program will allow us to strengthen Minnesota’s food supply chain infrastructure and increase market opportunities for producers, bolster support for our food businesses, and expand consumer access to locally grown and produced foods,” said Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen. “We thank USDA for their partnership, and we look forward to working with grant recipients to build resilient local and regional food systems that benefit producers and consumers across the state.”

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