UDAF Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program

The Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) Program, administered by the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF), represents a strategic partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) under the authority of Section 1001(b)(4) of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The USDA established this grant initiative to reinforce and enhance food and agricultural supply chain resiliency, particularly focusing on the often-overlooked middle-of-the-supply-chain activities such as processing, aggregation, and distribution. UDAF has entered into a cooperative agreement with the USDA, receiving a total of $3,040,043.28, of which $2,310,934.44 is designated for subawards to eligible entities within Utah. The goal of the RFSI program is to support the creation and strengthening of local and regional food systems by offering new market opportunities for small and mid-sized producers. It specifically targets infrastructure that improves market access, supply chain efficiency, and overall food system competitiveness within the state. This second round of funding is limited to simplified Equipment-Only grants, with projects focused on enhancing critical functions like processing, packaging, labeling, cold storage, and compliance with food safety requirements. Eligibility for the program is extended to agricultural producers or processors, producer groups, nonprofit and for-profit entities, tribal governments, local government bodies, and qualifying institutions such as schools and hospitals—provided they are involved in middle-of-the-supply-chain operations and are based in Utah. Applicants must be domestically owned and headquartered in Utah, with at least 50% of their product (ingredients or inputs) grown or raised within the state. Projects must take place in Utah and meet federal environmental laws and regulations including NEPA, NHPA, and ESA. Grant awards will range from a minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $100,000 per project. Funding allocations have been structured with $924,373.77 earmarked for Equipment-Only grants. Ineligible projects include those involving real property acquisition, meat and poultry processing, and activities already funded through other federal programs. All proposed projects must be completed by December 2025. Applications for the second round open on July 7, 2025, and are due by 11:59 PM on July 31, 2025. Notifications regarding provisional funding will begin in late August, with final award notifications in September following USDA review. Reimbursement-based awards will be disbursed once recipients submit proof of purchase to UDAF. Applications must be submitted through the Submittable platform accessible via the UDAF RFSI website. A Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), obtainable through SAM.gov, is required prior to application submission. Applicants are strongly advised to begin the UEI process early due to possible processing delays. For additional information or questions, applicants can contact Allison Ross at aross@utah.gov or 385-549-7987.

Start UEI registration early; ensure project fits middle-of-the-supply-chain scope