Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) Program

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is administering the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) grant program with funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service. MDARD received over $10 million through this program to strengthen the middle segment of the food supply chain across Michigan. The RFSI initiative is intended to help small and mid-sized agricultural producers by improving access to processing, aggregation, and distribution infrastructure, thereby enhancing market opportunities, fair pricing, safe jobs, and the development of value-added products for local and regional consumers. The RFSI program offers two primary types of grants: Infrastructure Projects and Equipment Only Projects. Infrastructure Grants support activities like constructing or upgrading facilities, modernizing equipment and systems, enhancing food safety compliance, improving worker safety, and supporting climate-aligned technology installations. Equipment Only Projects provide smaller awards specifically for equipment purchases without facility or staffing costs. These equipment grants are fixed-price awards ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 and do not require matching funds. In contrast, Infrastructure Grants do require matching contributions, which must align with RFSI-specific and federal guidance. Eligible applicants include both nonprofit and for-profit organizations operating within the middle of the supply chain, including processing, aggregation, and distribution functions. For-profit applicants must meet the U.S. Small Business Administration’s size standards. Entities that focus primarily on meat or poultry products are excluded, as those products are funded through separate federal programs. Additionally, food waste and composting initiatives are ineligible unless they result in value-added food products for human consumption. Applicants are required to submit key documents including the MDARD Matching Funds Verification Letter, Critical Resources Letter, and USDA environmental screening forms. Submissions must be made through the MiAgGrants platform using either a Citizen or Business Account. The grant portal opened on May 8, 2024, and closed on June 17, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. EDT. Webinars and office hours were available for technical assistance through the application period. Awards will be officially announced in 2025 following USDA approval, with the grant term for Infrastructure Projects expected to extend through December 2026 and Equipment Only Projects to be completed within one year of award. The review process includes a Joint Evaluation Committee meeting in July 2024. Applications are evaluated based on technical merit and alignment with program goals, such as strengthening the food system, improving food safety, and advancing equitable access for underserved producers. MDARD emphasizes the importance of clear project narratives and realistic budgeting, especially for in-kind match proposals. Prior experience is not a requirement, but competitive applications must demonstrate strong planning and measurable outcomes.