Public Affairs
WASHINGTON, Oct. 22, 2024 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today announced it has partnered with Oregon to award $1 million for 17 equipment projects through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program (RFSI) which aims 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 Oregon’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 Oregon’s support strengthening local and regional agricultural supply chains.”
Through this program, the Oregon Department of Agriculture will fund 17 projects with Equipment Grants to support middle-of-the-supply chain infrastructure. Oregon is still reviewing additional projects, which will be awarded in the coming months.
Examples of Funded Projects:
- Groundswell Farm in Langlois, Ore., will purchase equipment to increase its aggregation and distribution capacity for the rural food hub it manages on Oregon's southern coast. The equipment will help them achieve improved economies of scale, directly benefiting the seven producers who currently provide products for distribution.
- Clatskanie Farmer Collective in Clatskanie, Ore., will purchase food processing equipment for its food hub. This will create additional economic opportunities for specialty crop and egg producers, capture and transform food waste into value-added products, and increase the number of licensed local egg handlers in Columbia County.
- Eleni’s Kitchen is a women-owned Ethiopian packaged food business located in Washington County, Ore. With RFSI funding, the business will purchase equipment to increase its Injera production, meet the growing demands of its wholesale partners and explore new regional markets.
"Agriculture is the backbone of Oregon's economy, and the collaboration with USDA signifies a strong partnership that will bring positive change to the state's small farms and food businesses through the RFSI grant," said Oregon Department of Agriculture Director Lisa Charpilloz Hanson. "We will ensure RSFI funding will help our state establish a more resilient food supply chain for all Oregonians."
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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