USDA and Idaho Award $5.5 Million to Projects that Strengthen Food Supply Chain Infrastructure

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today announced it has partnered with Idaho to award $5.5 million for 27 projects through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program (RFSI) to build resilience across the middle of the supply chain and strengthen local and regional food systems.

“Projects funded through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure program are building strength and resilience in Idaho’s food system, diversifying agricultural markets, creating new revenue streams for small and mid-sized producers, and providing economic opportunities for local communities,” said USDA Marketing and Regulatory Programs Under Secretary Jenny Lester Moffitt. “USDA is grateful for Idaho’s support strengthening local and regional agricultural supply chains.”

Through this program, the Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) will fund 27 projects, including six Infrastructure Grants and 21 Equipment Grants to support middle of the supply chain infrastructure.

Examples of Funded Projects:

• Fish Processors Inc. in Hagerman, Idaho, will use funding to purchase and upgrade equipment to increase processing capacity, meet market demands, and increase employee safety. The project will strengthen the local trout industry by offering more local producers dependable marketing channels for their products.
• WEB2, LLC. in Parma, Idaho, will make improvements to rail infrastructure, as well as packing process enhancements required to better prepare and package Idaho onions for rail shipment and distribution. This will expand capacity, extend the local season for Idaho onions, and address shipping and distribution challenges facing Idaho producers. 
• Salmon Valley Stewardship in Salmon, Idaho, is receiving grant funding to equip a centralized, community commercial kitchen space for regional producers and food-businesses to process, add value to and distribute their products, connect with regional markets, and increase economic viability.

“This collaborative initiative with USDA presents a unique opportunity for our state. We diligently assessed grant applications by region, commodity, and overall stakeholder impact. The diversity of our grant recipients—from small commercial kitchens in rural communities to some of Idaho's most recognized ag businesses—reflects our commitment to advancing agricultural communities across Idaho,” said Idaho State Department of Agriculture Director Chanel Tewalt. 

This awarded funding is part of the $420 million available through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure grant program to build capacity within the middle of the supply chain and support local and regional producers. It is funded by President Biden’s American Rescue Plan. 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.