The Regional Food System Partnerships (RFSP) program supports partnerships that connect public and private resources to plan and develop local or regional food systems and encourages food economy viability and resilience. AMS will solicit applications from eligible partnerships, which include at least one eligible entity and at least one eligible partner. Eligible entities include:
- Producers
- Producer networks or associations
- Farmer or rancher cooperatives
- Majority-controlled producer-based business ventures
- Food councils
- Local or tribal governments
- Nonprofit corporations
- Economic development corporations
- Public benefit corporations
- Community-supported agriculture networks or associations
- Regional farmers' market authorities
Eligible partners include:
- State agencies or regional authorities
- Philanthropic organizations
- Private corporations
- Institutions of higher education
- Commercial, Federal, or Farm Credit System lending institutions
AMS will work together with awarded partners to accelerate local or regional food system growth through increased access to local knowledge and networks.
The Request for Applications for this program is currently under development. For more information, contact AMSGrants@usda.gov.