The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has allocated $2.6 million to 17 projects in Hawai‘i under the Resilient Food System Infrastructure (RFSI) program. This initiative aims to enhance operations in the middle of the supply chain and strengthen local food systems by supporting various activities such as processing, manufacturing, storing, transportation, wholesaling, and distribution of agricultural products.
The Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture will distribute these funds through four infrastructure grants and 13 equipment grants aimed at bolstering middle-of-the-supply-chain infrastructure.
“This RFSI initiative offers Hawai‘i a unique opportunity to strengthen processing capacity across our island state, while adding value to locally grown products,” stated Sharon Hurd, chairperson of the Hawai‘i Board of Agriculture. “Through this grant program, agricultural businesses in both rural and urban areas will receive support to scale up their new and existing products, open up market opportunities, create jobs and generate new revenue streams.”
This funding is part of a larger $420 million effort available through the RFSI grant program designed to build capacity within the middle supply chain and support local producers. It is financed by President Biden’s American Rescue Plan. The USDA has formed cooperative agreements with state agencies responsible for agriculture and related activities across states or U.S. territories.
For more details about this program, visit the USDA Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure webpage or check each state’s status on the State Grant Webpage.