CFVI will subaward up to $1 million to build resilience in the middle of the supply chain and strengthen local and regional food systems by creating new revenue streams for local producers.
CFVI will work in partnership with USDA to subaward competitive grants to food and farm businesses and other eligible entities.
The purpose is to make competitive grants for projects to expand capacity and infrastructure for the aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, or distribution of targeted local agricultural products.
This program is intended to support food system crops and products meant for human consumption, including specialty crops, dairy, and grains for human consumption.
Ineligible products include meat and poultry products, wild-caught seafood, animal feed and forage products, fiber, landscaping products, tobacco, and dietary supplements.�
RFSI PROGRAM OVERVIEW
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USDA defines the middle of the food supply chain as activities that take place after the production of the agricultural product but before the product is sold to consumers.
These activities include the processing, aggregation, and distribution of agricultural products between leaving the field and entering the marketplace.
Therefore, grant funds cannot be used for cultivation, harvest, or retail marketing of eligible food products.
MIDDLE OF THE FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN
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Encourage projects that benefit:
Farmers and ranchers
New and beginning farmers and ranchers
Veteran producers
Processors and other middle of the supply chain businesses
CFVI will prioritize funding projects that:
Expand capacity for processing, aggregation and distribution of agricultural products to create more and better markets for producers
Improve the capacity of entities to comply with federal, state, and local food safety requirements
Modernize processing and manufacturing equipment
FUNDING PRIORITIES
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Agricultural producers or processors
Nonprofit organizations
For-profit entities that meet the eligibility requirements of SBA’s small business size standards
Local government entities
Tribal governments
Institutions such as schools, universities, or hospitals bringing producers together to establish cooperative or shared infrastructure or invest in equipment that will benefit multiple producers
ELIGIBLE APPLICANT TYPES
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Grants will range in value from a minimum award of $10,000 and a maximum award of $100,000 and do not require cost sharing or matching.
Each piece of equipment must be a minimum of $5,000 per unit
This grant is a fixed price grant, meaning it will fund only equipment purchases.
The amount awarded will be equal to the cost of the equipment up to $100,000.
Applicants must submit documentation to substantiate the cost of each piece of equipment listed on their application.
The cost of delivery and basic installation can be covered by the grant if they are listed in the official bid.