Posted May 13, 2024 at 05:22pm by kelly@vsjf.org
Technical Support and Coaching Opportunity - Regional Food System Infrastructure (RFSI)
The Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund (VSJF) and Larklea are offering to Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) applicants and grantees various forms of support and technical services including RFSI application support, infrastructure capital and financial planning technical assistance, and ongoing business coaching services.
If you have questions about these services or the form, please contact Jake Claro (jake @ vsjf.org) and Tad Cooke (tad @ larklea.com).
Grant Opportunity: Regional Food System Infrastructure (RFSI)
The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets has released details for a Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) grant application. This new, one-time USDA funding supports the middle of the supply chain - meaning everything in between farm production and retail. This includes aggregation, distribution, manufacturing, processing, storing, transporting, wholesale, and value-add. The grant focuses on increasing resilience in the supply chain, supporting market development and new market opportunities, development of value-added products, and fair prices, better wages, and safe job opportunities.
Infrastructure Grant - Open to Apply May 1 - June 5, 2024
Approximately $2,000,000 in total funding is available. Grant awards will range from $100,000 - $500,000 with a match required. Please note there will be a separate, equipment-only RFSI application period this summer with no match requirement.
Please note that projects to support meat or poultry are excluded from this opportunity, per USDA stipulations. Projects that are exclusive to farming or farm production are not eligible for this funding. However, on-farm processing or value-added projects are eligible, as they fall within the middle of the supply chain suite of activities.