Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) Program

Request edit access

JavaScript isn't enabled in your browser, so this file can't be opened. Enable and reload.

USDA developed the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (“RFSI”) program to work with states and tribal governments across the US with the goal of developing and administering coordinated initiatives to build resilience across the middle-of-the-food-supply-chain within the states.

As part of outreach to Massachusetts stakeholders to determine funding priority areas, MDAR is soliciting feedback through this survey. These responses will directly help MDAR determine priority areas for funding with MDAR's RFSI grant award.

This survey is intended for all involved in the middle-of-the-food-supply-chain, including but not limited to: farms/farmers, agricultural businesses, agricultural organizations, institutions, and intermediaries (such as food hubs, aggregators, wholesalers, and distributors).

Name *

Organization *

Email *

Phone Number

What aspect of middle-of-the-supply-chain agricultural activities are you or your agricultural operation involved in?

(Select all that apply)

Aggregation

Processing

Manufacturing

Storing

Transporting

Wholesaling

Distribution

Service Provider

Other:

What agricultural/food products do you or your agricultural operation produce, handle, or support?

Select all that apply

Specialty Crops (fruits, vegetables and nuts)

Dairy

Grains for human consumption

Aquaculture

Value-added products

Meat and/or poultry (not eligible for RFSI but asking for survey purposes)

Other:

What region of Massachusetts is your agricultural operation located in?

Select all that apply

Southeastern MA/Cape & Islands

Greater Boston MA

Northeastern MA

Central MA

Western MA

Berkshires

Statewide

Other:

Do you identify with one or more of the following?

Some groups of people are identified in Farm Bill legislation and in USDA policy as being Historically Underserved (HU). Members of these groups have been historically underserved by, or subject to discrimination in, Federal policies and programs. Four groups are defined by USDA as “Historically Underserved,” including farmers or ranchers who are: Beginning; Socially Disadvantaged; Veterans; and Limited Resource.

Select all that apply

Underserved Farmer or Rancher

New and Beginning Farmer or Rancher

Veteran Farmer or Rancher

A member of an underserved community

Other:

Which of the following project-types would most interest you/your agricultural operation, or be most applicable for grant funding?

Select all that apply

Expanding capacity for processing, aggregation and distribution of agricultural products to create more and better markets for producers

Modernizing manufacturing, tracking, storage, and information technology systems

Enhancing worker safety through adoption of new technologies or investment in equipment or facility improvements

Improving the capacity of entities to comply with federal, state, and local food safety requirements

Improving operations through training opportunities

Supporting construction of a new facility

Modernizing or expanding an existing facility (including expansion and modifications to existing buildings and/or construction of new buildings at existing facilities)

Constructing of wastewater management structures, etc.

Modernizing processing and manufacturing equipment

Developing, customizing, or installing equipment that reduces greenhouse gas emissions, increases efficiency in water use, improves air and/or water quality, and/or meets one or more of USDA’s climate action goals.

Other:

Based on your knowledge and experience, which funding areas below would be most impactful to completing infrastructure projects?

Select all that apply

Hiring term-limited personnel to assist with project implementation activities

Purchasing special purpose equipment. This includes the purchase of special purpose equipment for institutions or others that will benefit multiple producers through middle-of-the-supply-chain activities such as processing, aggregation, distribution of targeted agricultural product

Analyzing potential facility upgrades and changes that meet regulatory requirements, obtaining design and/or architecture services, etc.

Planning for Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) or other food safety or worker safety measures or equipment recommendations

Upgrades or new facilities for processing specific agricultural products

Other:

Based on your knowledge and experience, which upgrades or new facility equipment are most needed to improve the resilience in the middle-of-the-food-supply-chain?

Select all that apply

Upgrades or new facilities for processing specific agricultural products

On-farm post-harvest processing, preservation, and storage/cold storage

Post-harvest cleaning and grading

Aggregator warehouse and storage, including cooperatives

Purchase of freezing equipment, freezer, or cold storage

Processing, canning, preserving and pasteurization

Preparation and packing

Drying, hulling, shelling, and milling

Cooking, baking, juicing, distilling, fermenting

Other:

Based on your knowledge and experience, please share any funding priorities and/or funding gaps that you recognize within the Massachusetts middle-of-the-food-supply-chain?

Submit

Clear form

Never submit passwords through Google Forms.

This content is neither created nor endorsed by Google. Report Abuse - Terms of Service - Privacy Policy

Forms