Public Affairs
WASHINGTON, Jan. 13, 2025 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today announced it has partnered with Massachusetts to award $2.9 million for 23 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.
“Projects funded through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure program are building strength and resilience in Massachusetts’ 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 Massachusetts’ support strengthening local and regional agricultural supply chains.”
Through this program, the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) will fund 23 projects, including five Infrastructure Grants and 18 Equipment Grants to support middle of the supply chain infrastructure.
Examples of Funded Projects:
- Growing Places in Leominster, Mass., will use an Infrastructure Grant to support over 180 local farms by creating a commercial kitchen with areas for packing, prepping, and storing. This project will increase their capacity to meet requirements for wholesale purchasing with large institutions, accommodate more crop varieties with their processing equipment, and work with more small and historically underserved local farmers.
- World Farmers in Lancaster, Mass., is receiving an Infrastructure Grant to improve infrastructure to grow wholesale markets for cultural crops by renovating the organization’s Aggregation Barn. This project will increase market opportunities for at least 50 local and regional producers in the organization’s network while also expanding access to culturally important food crops to immigrant communities across the region.
- Nantucket Sound Shellfish Company in Teaticket, Mass., will use an Equipment Grant to purchase specialized equipment to address bottlenecks in preparing and bagging their oysters for sale. Through this project, the business will be able to increase their revenue and sell a larger number of oysters at a better price to local seafood dealers.
“In partnering with USDA and providing nearly $3,000,000 in grant funding, farmers, businesses and agricultural organizations are able to build resilience in their processing, aggregation, and distribution systems,” said MDAR Commissioner Ashley Randle. “Projects and initiatives funded through this grant program will develop and continue work to impact the long-term viability and sustainability of our local food systems infrastructure in Massachusetts.”
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.
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