The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) will work in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to award $4.6 million through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program (RFSI). After a competitive review process, the program will award money for equipment-only and infrastructure projects to Louisiana food and farm businesses, as well as other eligible entities, including nonprofits, local government entities, tribal governments, schools, and hospitals. The application window opens on February 7, 2024, and will last through April 15, 2024.
In May 2023, the USDA announced the availability of up to $420 million through the RFSI program to strengthen local and regional food systems. Through this program, the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has entered into cooperative agreements with state agencies, commissions, and departments responsible for agricultural and commercial activities throughout U.S. territories.
The goal of the program is to build resilience in the middle-of-the-food-supply-chain, increase and streamline markets for small farms and local businesses, and support the development of value-added products for consumers that will lead to fair prices, fair wages, and new job opportunities. RFSI is authorized by the American Rescue Plan.
Interested applicants are encouraged to attend an upcoming meeting for more information about the application and grant award process.
| Date and time | Location |
|---|---|
| February 5, 2024, 10 AM – 12 PM | LDAF Veterans Memorial Auditorium, 5825 Florida Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA 70806 |
| February 6, 2024, 10 AM – 12 PM | Jefferson Parish Library, Jefferson Rm, 4747 W Napoleon Ave, Metairie, LA 70001 |
| February 8, 2024, 9 AM – 11 AM | LSU Ag Center, 7101 Gulf Hwy, Lake Charles, LA 70607 |
| February 8, 2024, 2 PM – 4 PM | Opelousas Civic Center, 1638 Creswell Ln Opelousas, LA 70570 |
| February 9, 2024, 10 AM – 12 PM | LaTech, Joe Aillet Stadium Pressbox Level S, 1450 W. Alabama Ave, Ruston, LA 71272 |
| February 20, 2024, 10 AM – 12 PM | Live virtual only session (must register to receive the meeting link) |
To register for any of the trainings listed, visit LDAF RFSI Outreach Event Registration (jotform.com). For additional information on the program and frequently asked questions about the RFSI grant process, please visit Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure | Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (la.gov) or contact [email protected].