Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Grants
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The Farm and Food Growth Fund (FFGF) is the administrator for a portion of New York State’s Department of Agriculture and Markets USDA Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) grant program with a focus on enhancing, growing and improving the mid-channel of the food supply chain.
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Funded under the American Rescue Plan (ARP) of 2021, and with allocations made to all 50 states plus districts and commonwealths, the goals are to expand each state’s middle-chain capacity and infrastructure for the aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storage, transporting, wholesaling, or distribution of targeted local and regional agricultural food products. Meat, poultry, cannabis, animal food and forage, fiber, and wild caught seafood products are not considered under this program.
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The RFSI program will make infrastructure awards to businesses and organizations operating in the middle-of-the-supply chain. Successful projects will focus on increasing the supply of New York-sourced food products available in New York markets. Competitive project applications must benefit multiple producers and multiple markets, and may be collaborative applications.
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The Department has been funded through the USDA RFSI program to expand statewide capacity and infrastructure for the aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storage, transporting, wholesaling, or distribution of targeted local and regional agricultural food products (excluding meat and poultry products).
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The grant program is to fund projects that expand statewide capacity and infrastructure for the aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storage, transporting, wholesaling, or distribution of targeted local and regional agricultural food products (excluding meat and poultry products). Successful projects will focus on increasing the supply of New York-sourced food products available in New York and regional markets. Competitive project applications will benefit multiple producers and multiple markets.
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Two grant opportunities will be available for New York agricultural businesses:
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Infrastructure Grants
This competitive opportunity is focused on funding infrastructure for the aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, or distribution of locally produced agricultural food products (excluding meat and poultry products). Applications may be submitted for projects ranging from $100,000 - $3,000,000. Applications must include match funds of 50% or 25% for historically underserved groups.
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The application period for the NYS RFSI Infrastructure Grant is now closed.
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​2025 NYS RFSI Infrastructure Grant Program Update: New York State received a tremendous interest in the RFSI Infrastructure Grant Program, as made evident by the number of applications which were received. RFSI Grant applications which were successful have been notified of their pending award. Those unsuccessful in the Infrastructure grant round are welcome to apply for the Equipment-Only round.
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Equipment-Only Grants
This competitive opportunity is focused on funding equipment for the aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, or distribution of agricultural food products (excluding meat and poultry products). Eligible applicants may request awards in the amount of $30,000 - $100,000. No match is required for Equipment-Only Grants.
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Applications open: Coming Soon
Applications Close: Coming Soon
Open Virtual Business Hours: Date to be announced​
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Learn More about the RFSI Equipment-Only Grant Program
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Definition of Middle-of-the-Supply Chain:
Middle of the supply chain refers to the processing, aggregation, storage, wholesaling, or distribution of products.
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Beyond the RFSI grants, FFGF and its affiliate organization Hudson Valley Agribusiness Development Corporation both offer numerous programs that are available for farms and food businesses to access.
For questions, please email us at RFSI@ffgrowthfund.org