Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program
The purpose of the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program (RFSIP) is to build resilience in the middle of the food supply chain, to provide more and better markets to small farms and food businesses, to support the development of value-added products for consumers, to encourage fair prices and fair wages, and to establish new and safe job opportunities.
Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program Award Process
RFSIP awards can be used to support projects related to the aggregation, processing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, and distribution of local food products including specialty crops, dairy, grains for human consumption, aquaculture, and other food products, excluding meat and poultry.
Infrastructure Grant applicants may apply for a minimum award of $100,000 and a maximum award of $3 million. Projects may start on May 25, 2024 and must be completed by May 24, 2027. Grant applicants are required to contribute 50% of the total proposed project cost as a match to federal funding. For historically underserved farmers and ranchers and small businesses that qualify under the Small Business Administration (SBA) including small disadvantaged businesses, women-owned small businesses, and veteran-owned small businesses, the required match is reduced to 25% of the total proposed project cost.
Grant applications will open October 10, 2023 and will close January 15, 2024. Applications will be reviewed and scored by an independent panel. Selected applications will be notified by the end of February.
Contacts
Don Wambles - Director of Ag Promotions
Hassey Brooks - Deputy Commissioner
Meredith Casey - Program Coordinator
rfsi@agi.alabama.gov
Phone: 334-546-7457
Infrastructure Grant Application
RFSI Virtual Outreach Meeting
RFSI Application Writing Workshop
Links and Resources
- Request for Applications
- Alabama RFSI Funding Priorities
- USDA RFSI Website
- RFSI Fact Sheet
- RFSI FAQ’s
- USDA Historically Underserved Farmers and Ranchers
- SBA Size Standards Tool
- SBA Small Disadvantaged Business
- SBA Veteran Contracting Assistance Programs
- SBA Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contract Program