USDA Partners with New Jersey to Award Over $3 Million to Strengthen Food Supply Chain Infrastructure

WASHINGTON, February 26, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today announced it has a cooperative agreement with New Jersey under the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program (RFSI). Through this agreement, USDA and New Jersey are working together to offer over $3 million in competitive grant funding for projects designed to build resilience across the middle of the supply chain. New Jersey is accepting applications for this Infrastructure Grant funding through March 15, 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. Updates for each state’s Request for Applications for the RFSI program are available on the AMS website.

“This partnership between USDA and New Jersey 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.”

Using RFSI funding, the New Jersey Department of Agriculture will fund projects that augment on-farm processing capabilities, enabling businesses across the agricultural industry to meet the rising demand in their respective markets. The department will also fund projects that contribute to the development of essential infrastructure necessary for the introduction of new agricultural products into the New Jersey food system. The state’s priorities are informed by stakeholder engagement and outreach to underserved producers to better understand their needs.

“The New Jersey Department of Agriculture is committed to enhancing the state’s food systems through the implementation of the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program,” said New Jersey Assistant Secretary of Agriculture Joe Atchison III. “The extension of the application period into March will allow more producers the opportunity to take advantage of the funds available to augment their operations.”

Those interested in receiving a subaward should apply directly through the New Jersey Department of Agriculture by March 15, 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.

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.