NYS Receives $14.7 Million from USDA to Strengthen Food Supply Chain Infrastructure

A shot of farmland in Stockton, New York.Photo byPhoto by J.M. Lesinski

New York State Governor Kathy Hochul recently celebrated a new grant funding agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service and New York state, offering just over $14.7 million in funds for farmers and food businesses alike specifically operating in the middle of the food supply chain.

“Thanks to our partnership with USDA, we are Strengthening the Resilience of the Food Supply Chain here in New York State,” Hochul stated of the funding. “The Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program provides critical funding to support our food supply chain by investing in projects that modernize agricultural facilities, improve training, and facilitate the purchase of new equipment.”

There will be two different grant opportunities available for those who qualify: infrastructure grants and equipment-only grants. The more-competitive infrastructure grants can range from $100,000 to $3 million and must focus on aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, or the distribution of agricultural food products (excluding meat and poultry). 

“The construction of agricultural facilities and modernization of equipment that supports access to nutritious food, as well as rural development, will benefit substantially from the RSFI funding,” noted Northeast Farmers of Color Land Trust’s Land Network Services Co-Director Dr. Gabriela Pereyra of the funding. “We hope this funding will address the crucial need across the middle of the supply chain and foster a more inclusive and sustainable food system.”

Equipment-only grants will range anywhere between $10,000 and $100,000 and must focus on the same elements as the infrastructure grants, however, this opportunity will not be available until 2025. 

“This partnership between USDA and New York State is allowing critical funding to reach areas of the supply chain that need it most,” USDA Marketing and Regulatory Programs Under Secretary Jenny Lester Moffitt remarked of the funding. “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.”

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (AGM) officially will be partnering with both the Farm and Food Growth Fund, Inc (FFGF) to administer the grant program, and the Northeast Farmers of Color Land Trust for technical assistance regarding the improvement of supply chain coordinative integration. 

“With this RFSI funding, we have an opportunity to make a real impact on the resilience of New York State’s food system – modernizing and supporting the construction of agricultural facilities, improving training, supporting the purchase of new equipment, and so much more,” said New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball of the funding. “Designed based on a robust response from our agricultural community, and on the work we’ve accomplished so far in this area, these programs are set to make a difference in our state. I thank the Governor for her support in this important work and the USDA for its great partnership and forward-thinking programming, giving us an extra boost in our work to support New York farmers and agribusinesses statewide. I look forward to awarding the funds to businesses and organizations operating at the middle of the supply chain who connect the state’s farmers to consumers.”

For information on application requirements and to access the application portal, please visit the FFGF website. The infrastructure grant application deadline will be five in the afternoon on June 28, 2024.

"The collaboration between federal, state, and local partners is critical for resiliency and the successful implementation of food system infrastructure investments that support increased access to fresh local products for all,” President and CEO of Farm and Food Growth Fund Todd Erling commented of the funding. “The RSFI funding of middle chain capacity will not only expand, but also protect, the supply of New York food to our communities and families."