WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced last week it has a cooperative agreement with South Carolina under the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program (RFSI). The USDA and South Carolina are working together to offer more than $4 million in competitive grant funding for projects designed to build resilience across the middle of the supply chain. South Carolina is accepting applications for this Infrastructure Grant funding through March 1, 2024.
In May 2023, USDA announced the availability of up to $420 million through RFSI to strengthen local and regional food systems. 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. RFSI is authorized by the American Rescue Plan.
“This partnership between USDA and South Carolina is allowing critical funding to reach areas of the supply chain that need it most,” said USDA Marketing and Regulatory Programs Under Secretary Jenny Lester Moffitt. “The projects funded through this program will create new opportunities for the region’s small and midsize producers to thrive, expand access to nutritious food options, and increase supply chain resiliency.”
How Funds Will Be Used
Using RFSI funding, the South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA) will address critical middle-of-the-supply-chain infrastructure and equipment needs statewide. The funded projects will increase processing capacity and address storage and transportation needs, ultimately impacting the state’s broader food system network and providing the tools needed to sustain the food supply chain. The state’s priorities are informed by stakeholder engagement and outreach to underserved producers to better understand their needs.
“Strengthening the middle of the food supply chain in South Carolina will provide stronger markets for local farmers, increase stability for consumers, and help ensure a strong future of agriculture in the state,” said South Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers.
Those interested in receiving a subaward should apply directly through SCDA by March 1, 2024. AMS encourages applications that serve smaller farms and ranches, new and beginning farmers and ranchers, underserved producers, veteran producers and underserved communities.
For more information, visit the AMS Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure webpage.