The Resilient Food System Infrastructure (RFSI) grant program, administered in Vermont by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets in cooperation with the USDA and AMS, aims to build resilience within the middle of the food supply chain and strengthen local and regional food systems. Its core mission aligns with fostering new revenue streams and developing markets for small and mid-sized Vermont farms and food businesses that utilize local and regional products. This initiative serves as a strategic priority to enhance the stability and economic viability of Vermont's agricultural sector.
The program primarily targets agricultural producers and processors, nonprofit organizations, local government entities, and institutions involved in middle-of-the-supply-chain activities. These beneficiaries include schools, hospitals, food banks, and for-profit entities that benefit local and regional producers. The impact goals are broad, focusing on increasing market access, boosting production, and diversifying product offerings for these entities, thereby creating a more robust and flexible food supply system within the state.
The RFSI grant program prioritizes several key areas. These include retaining more of the value chain dollar within communities, creating economic opportunities, promoting Vermont value-added products, and improving job quality through better wages, benefits, and worker safety. Additionally, the program focuses on creating new, safe job opportunities, enhancing compliance with food safety requirements, and diversifying processing capacity, especially in underserved communities. Modernizing processing and manufacturing equipment and supporting environmentally sustainable practices, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving water/air quality, are also central focuses.
The expected outcomes and measurable results of the RFSI program are multifaceted. It anticipates increased market entry for businesses, a higher volume of units moved through the supply chain, and a wider variety of product offerings. Economically, it aims for increased profits staying within rural communities and the creation of more economic opportunities and jobs. The program also expects improvements in job quality, greater adherence to food safety standards, and a more diverse and resilient processing infrastructure across Vermont.
Furthermore, the grant specifically supports underserved communities, cooperatives, and farmer/worker-owned enterprises, demonstrating a clear strategic priority for equitable development within the food system. Approximately $1,000,000 is available for equipment-only projects, with individual grants ranging from $30,000 to $100,000 over a one-year project period. This funding mechanism directly supports the program's theory of change by providing tangible resources to modernize and expand infrastructure, directly addressing identified gaps in the agricultural supply chain and strengthening local economies.
