The purpose of the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) program is to build resilience in the middle of the food supply chain; to provide more and better markets to small farms and food businesses; and to support the development of value-added products for consumers, fair prices, fair wages, and new and safe job opportunities.
Stakeholders may include, but are not limited to, small and underserved business owners, historically underserved farmers or ranchers, and other businesses that qualify under the Small Business Administration (SBA) categories of small disadvantaged businesses, women-owned small businesses, and veteran-owned small businesses.
Later this year our agency will be announcing a competitive infrastructure grant program. Funds will support expanded capacity for the aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, and distribution of locally and regionally produced food products, including specialty crops, dairy, grains for consumption, aquaculture, and other food products, excluding meat and poultry.
Public Comment
We will be soliciting public comment about the RFSI program until July 28, 2023. To submit a comment to SCDA about the RFSI program, email rfsi@scda.sc.gov. Please write “RFSI Comment” in the subject line of the email. Public comments will be accepted only at the above email address until 7/28/23 at noon EST.
No applications for South Carolina’s RFSI funds will be accepted until a later date; the open application period will be announced and posted on SCDA’s website as well as through its social media channels.
More Information
Additional USDA information on RFSI can be found at ams.usda.gov/services/grants/rfsi
Press Release: SCDA to Hold Listening Call about Infrastructure Needs
