Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program

The Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program (RFSI) aims to build resilience in the middle of the supply chain and strengthen local and regional food systems. Funds will be granted to food and farm businesses, and other eligible entities for projects that expand capacity and infrastructure for the aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, or distribution of targeted local and regional agricultural products.

The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry will prioritize funding projects focused on distribution, cold storage, and co-packing. Funding for this program is made possible by a cooperative agreement between ODAFF and the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service.

Available Grant Applications*:

RFSI Infrastructure Grant Proposal Template
RFSI Equipment-Only Grant Proposal Template
RFSI Grant Match Calculator

*We are aware that the proposal templates may not open properly in the browser window. It is due to the unique type of PDF file associated with the proposal templates. Please watch the video below for instructions on how to access the file:

**If you are still having problems opening the grant proposal templates, try using a different web browser and follow the same steps from the video.

***If all of the above does not work for you, please email Jason Harvey at Jason.harvey@ag.ok.gov and let him know which proposal template you would like to access.

Forms:

Collaborator Organization Letter
Evidence of Critical Resources and Infrastructure
Match Verification Letter

Additional Information:

ODAFF RFSI Program Grant Application Manual
RFSI Program Grant FAQs
RFSI Program Scope and Requirements
New RFSI Program Grant FAQs (Updated 2/6/24)

What qualifies as “Middle of the Supply Chain”?

Activities that take place after the production of the agricultural product but before the product is sold to consumers. These activities include the processing, aggregation, and distribution of agricultural products between leaving the field and entering the marketplace.

Grant Details

Infrastructure Grant

Infrastructure Grants will range from a minimum of $100,000 to a maximum of $1,000,000 and must be completed in 2 years. A 50% match will be required on all infrastructure grants unless the applicant qualifies as a historically underserved farmer and rancher, or for other businesses that qualify under SBA categories of a small disadvantaged business, women-owned small business, or veteran-owned small business. For those meeting these categories the required match is reduced to 25% of the project cost.

Applicants will be required to self-certify in their Infrastructure Grant applications to being eligible for this reduced match.

Equipment-Only Grant

Equipment-Only Grants will range in value from a minimum award of $10,000 and a maximum award of $100,000 and do not require a match. The Equipment-Only Grant is a fixed price grant, meaning it will fund only equipment purchases (and not associated facility upgrades, staffing, or other costs). Equipment-Only Grant applicants must submit documentation to substantiate the cost of each piece of equipment listed on their application. The cost of delivery and installation can be covered by the grant if they are listed in the official bid. When soliciting bids, please make sure they will be honored at the time of the grant award.

Entities are not allowed to submit applications for Infrastructure and Equipment-Only grants.

Eligibility

Entities eligible for RFSI Grants are:

• Agricultural producers or processors, or groups of agricultural producers and processors.
  
  
• Any of these businesses operating middle-of-the-supply-chain activities such as processing, aggregation, distribution of targeted agricultural products whose activities are primarily focused for the benefit of local and regional producers.
  
  • Nonprofit and For-profit entities operating middle of the supply chain activities such as processing, aggregation, or distribution of targeted agricultural products,
  • Local government entities
  • Tribal governments

• Institutions such as schools, universities, or hospitals bringing producers together to establish cooperative or shared infrastructure or invest in equipment that will benefit multiple producers middle-of-the-supply-chain activities such as processing, aggregation, distribution of targeted agricultural product.

Project Eligibility

Eligible Projects include:

• Upgrades or new facilities for processing specific agricultural products, such as:
  • On-farm post-harvest processing, preservation, and storage/cold storage
  • Post-harvest cleaning and grading
  • Aggregator warehouse and storage, including cooperatives
  • Purchase of freezing equipment, freezer, or cold storage
  • Processing, canning, preserving and pasteurization
  • Preparation and packing
  • Drying, hulling, shelling, and milling; and
  • Cooking, baking, juicing, distilling, fermenting

• Purchasing of special purpose equipment. This includes the purchase of special purpose equipment for institutions or others that will benefit multiple producers through middle-of-the-supply-chain activities such as processing, aggregation, distribution of targeted agricultural products.

• Planning for HACCP or other food safety or worker safety measures or equipment recommendations.

• Analyzing potential facility upgrades and changes that meet regulatory requirements.

• Hiring term-limited personnel to assist with project implementation activities.

Projects that are NOT ELIGIBLE include:

• Acquiring real property (including land purchases), or any interest therein.

• Projects focused on meat and poultry processing, animal feed and forage products, fiber, landscaping products, tobacco, or dietary supplements.

• Projects which have already received funding from another federal grant or subaward programs may not receive funding for the same activities through an Infrastructure Grant. However, Infrastructure Grants may build on the successes of prior funding, such as the USDA Regional Food Business Centers Business Builder subawards, to fund subsequent activities.

RFSI Grant Award Process & More Information

Grants will be awarded through a competitive review process. This program is intended to support food system crops and products meant for human consumption. Proposals should look to create more diverse local and regional market options and create more economic opportunities for communities by creating new revenue streams for Oklahoma producers.

Applicants must have a Unique Entity Identifier number (UEI) at time of submission. If you do not have one you can register at SAM.gov and there is no cost to do so.