Food System

USDA Regional Food System Partnerships (RFSP) Grant

The RFSP supports partnerships that connect public and private resources to plan and develop local or regional food systems. The RFSP focuses on building and strengthening the viability and resilience of the local or regional food economy.

Eligible Recipients:

  • Producer
  • Farmer or Rancher Cooperative
  • Producer Network or Association
  • Majority-Controlled Producer-Based Business Venture
  • Food Council
  • Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Network or Association
  • Local Governments
  • Nonprofit Corporations
  • Public Benefit Corporations
  • Economic Development Corporations
  • Regional Farmers Market Authorities
  • Tribal Governments

Eligible Projects:
RFSP offers two grant types – Planning and Design and Implementation and Expansion.

1. Planning and Design – Projects which support partnerships in the early stages of convening, envisioning, and planning processes for developing local or regional food systems.

2. Implementation and Expansion – Projects which support partnerships building on prior or ongoing efforts within a local or regional food system.

Funding Source:
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing Service

Funding Amount:

AMS anticipates approximately $56.5 million will be available in FY2023 for RFSP projects, including funds come from the American Rescue Plan. Any funds not awarded under this RFA will be made available through the RFA published in the next competitive award cycle. Funding may be contingent on Federal appropriations actions. USDA does not guarantee minimum funding levels or a specific number of awards.

Application Deadline:
Only applications submitted and validated by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on May 2, 2023, to Grants.gov will be accepted. See AMS’ Late and/or Non-Responsive Applications Policy.

Contact:
After closely reviewing this RFA in its entirety, applicants and other interested parties are encouraged to contact the RFSP staff by e-mail with questions about the grant program at IPPGrants@usda.gov. For additional information, please visit the RFSP Website: https://www.ams.usda.gov/rfsp.

More Information:
https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/rfsp/apply