On February 13, Gov. Spanberger announced more than $4.9 million in federal American Rescue Plan funding for grants to build resilience in Virginia’s food system. Businesses and organizations applied in FY 2024.
The grants were awarded in two categories, infrastructure and equipment, for “middle-of-the-food-supply-chain.” Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) explains, “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 human consumption, aquaculture, and other food products, excluding meat and poultry.”
Two Northern Neck businesses, Healthy Harvest Food Bank and Purcell’s Seafood, applied for infrastructure grants. Neither were awarded a grant. VDACS did not explain the reasons for not awarding the grants to either NNK business or for any other grant apps, for that matter.
Basics of the RFSI grant program
According to the USDA’s Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program Program Scope and Requirements (PDF):
The overall goal of RFSI is to create more and better processing options for local and regional producers across the specialty crops, dairy, grain (for food), and other sectors detailed in section 1.2.1 (i.e., non-meat and poultry sectors) by targeting gaps and opportunities in the pandemic assistance, Food Systems Transformation (FST) programs, and existing USDA grant programs that support the agricultural supply chain.
AMS encourages applications that benefit Small and Underserved Business Owners, Historically Underserved Farmers or Ranchers or for other businesses that qualify under the Small Business Administration (SBA) categories of Small Disadvantaged Business, Women Owned Small Business, and Veteran-Owned Small Businesses. For projects intending to serve these entities, applicants should engage and involve those beneficiaries when developing projects and applications.
In all programs and initiatives, USDA promotes climate-resilient landscapes and rural economic systems, including tools to support agriculture, forests, grazing lands, and rural communities. AMS encourages applicants to consider including goals and activities related to mitigating and adapting to climate change in their project’s design and implementation.
The program also aims to:
* Support development of value-added products available to consumers;
* Support proposals that provide fair prices, fair wages and new and safe job opportunities that keep profits in rural communities; and
* Increase diversity in processing options in terms of business model approaches, geography, and availability to underserved communities.
Spanberger’s announcement of grants
Governor Spanberger Announces More Than $4.9 Million in Grant Awards, Investments in Virginia’s Food Systems
Grants Aid in Building Resilience in Virginia’s Local & Regional Food Supply Chains
RICHMOND, VA — Governor Abigail Spanberger today announced the award of 12 Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) grants — totaling more than $4.9 million — for Virginia farms, businesses, agricultural cooperatives, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations.
These awards help build resilience across the middle of the Commonwealth’s food supply chain by strengthening local and regional food systems. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service provided the grant funding through a cooperative agreement with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which will administer the grants in the Commonwealth.
“Agriculture is Virginia’s number one private industry and a foundational pillar of our Commonwealth’s economy. Supporting economic development opportunities in the industry means supporting Virginia’s farmers, processors, retailers — and helping Virginians put food on their tables,” said Governor Abigail Spanberger. “Expanding market opportunities and revenue streams for our small and mid-sized producers helps to create new jobs, put food on Virginians’ tables, and build a stronger future for Virginia agriculture.”
“I thank the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service for their partnership in the RFSI program and investment in Virginia agriculture. This funding helps reduce dependence on the external food supply chain as we strengthen the Commonwealth’s local and regional infrastructure,” said Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Katie Frazier. “These grant awards will help improve food access, grow and fortify business for farmers, and encourage new investment in urban and rural areas.”
The USDA defines the middle of the food supply chain as activities occurring after the production of the agricultural product, but before the product is sold to consumers. RFSI funding supports expanded capacity for the aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, and distribution of locally and regionally produced food products. Eligible products include specialty crops, dairy, grains for human consumption, aquaculture, and other food products, excluding meat and poultry.
Below is additional information about the projects receiving RFSI funding [summarized]:
* Capital Area Food Bank, Lorton (Equipment Only — $100,000)
* Deep Roots Milling, Roseland (Equipment Only — $99,616)
* Jon Henry General Store, New Market, (Equipment Only — $68,644)
* Southside Virginia Fruit and Vegetable Producers Association, Charlotte Courthouse (Equipment Only — $74,539)
* 4P Foods Inc., Warrenton (Infrastructure — $198,687)
* Appalachian Sustainable Development, Duffield (Infrastructure — $690,000)
* Browntown Farms, Brunswick County (Infrastructure — $253,312)
* Central Virginia Poultry Cooperative Inc., Burkesville (Infrastructure — $538,083)
* Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative, Newport News (Infrastructure — $731,607)
* New Hill Development Corporation, Charlottesville (Infrastructure — $962,958)
* George Washington Carver Agriculture Research Center, Rapidan (Infrastructure — $1,205,965)
* Riverstone Produce LLC., Floyd (Infrastructure — $72,722)