USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service announced a cooperative agreement with Tennessee under the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program

Chattanooga, TN – According to the state officials, through this agreement, USDA and the Tennessee Department of Agriculture are offering over $5.5 million in competitive grant funding for projects aimed at building resilience across the food supply chain.

TDA is accepting applications for this program funding through August 31, 2024.

In May 2023, USDA announced the availability of up to $420 million through RFSI to strengthen local and regional food systems.

This program involves AMS entering into cooperative agreements with state agencies responsible for agriculture, commercial food processing, seafood, or food system and distribution activities in states or U.S. territories. RFSI is authorized by the American Rescue Plan.

Updates for each state’s request for applications for the RFSI program are available on the AMS website.

Using RFSI funding, TDA will support projects that increase access to commercial kitchens and co-packing facilities.

Additional projects will expand processing capacity, add product types, increase production volumes, and support new wholesale or retail product lines.