Public Affairs
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5, 2024 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today announced it has partnered with Utah to award $2.3 million for 18 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 Utah’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 Utah’s support strengthening local and regional agricultural supply chains.”
Through this program, the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food will fund 18 projects, including two Infrastructure Grants and 16 Equipment Grants to support middle of the supply chain infrastructure.
Examples of Funded Projects:
Grammy’s Fruit and Produce in Willard, Utah, is receiving an Infrastructure Grant to build a new facility with storage, cold storage, and loading docks for increased capacity and efficiency to meet the needs of current and prospective customers. This new facility will help create a sustainable, efficient, and inclusive food distribution model across rural Utah.
The International Rescue Committee in Salt Lake City will use an Infrastructure Grant to construct and improve facilities to increase processing, storage, and delivery infrastructure. The committee will also provide training and technical assistance to 50 refugee and new American farmers.
Farm Yard Fresh in Mayfield, Utah, is receiving an Equipment Grant to increase cold storage and packing space for fresh produce. With these additions to their post-harvest operations, they will be able to avoid unnecessary food spoilage and provide clean, locally grown, high-quality vegetables to people in Utah.
“We are extremely thankful for the opportunity we have to partner with USDA AMS”, said Utah Department of Agriculture and Food Commissioner Craig Buttars. “This funding will help producers throughout our state as they work to build a more resilient food systems infrastructure. By investing in projects that improve our in-state processing capabilities, as well as our distribution and storage capacity, we are able to take another step forward to ensure the continued success of the producers we depend upon.”
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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