# USDA Regional Food Business Centers

Source: https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/usda-ams-tm-lrfd-c-0001-usda-regional-food-business-centers/  
Official notice: https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/343478

> Agricultural Marketing Service offered grants of up to $50.0 million (at least $15.0 million) to nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments and tribes. It expected to make about 20 awards. Applications closed on January 6, 2023.

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Opportunity number | USDA-AMS-TM-LRFD-C-0001 |
| Agency | Agricultural Marketing Service |
| Status | Forecast |
| Deadline | January 6, 2023 |
| Award ceiling | $50.0 million |
| Award floor | $15.0 million |
| Expected awards | 20 |
| Total funding | not stated |
| Cost sharing | not required |
| Assistance Listings | 10.186 |

## Who can apply

- State governments
- County governments
- City or township governments
- Special district governments
- Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
- Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)

Producer Network or Association Food Council State Agencies and Regional AuthoritiesEconomic Development Corporations

## What the grant funds

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), requests applications for the fiscal year (FY) 2022 USDA Regional Food Business Centers (Regional Food Centers). The Regional Food Centers will serve as the cornerstone of USDA’s development of local and regional supply chains. They will offer coordination, technical assistance, and capacity building support to small and mid-sized food and farm businesses, with the goal of creating a more resilient, diverse, and competitive food system. AMS will award cooperative agreements to regionally based partners to support USDA’s work on regional food supply chains. USDA is using approximately $400 million in funds authorized under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, Pub. L. No. 116—260, Division N, Title VII, Subtitle B, Section 751 to develop and implement the program, with approximately $360 million going directly to fund the Regional Centers. Through this solicitation, AMS will fund at least six USDA Regional Food Centers. There are three High Priority Areas that will each have at least one Regional Center specifically serving all or part of that area: Colonias (counties on the US/Mexico border), high need areas of the Delta and the Southeast, and the high need areas of Appalachia. In addition, there will be one national Tribal Center. There will also be Regional Food Centers that serve other areas of the country beyond these High Priority areas and the Tribal Center. This announcement identifies the eligibility criteria for USDA Regional Food Centers, and the application forms and associated instructions needed to apply for a USDA Regional Food Center agreement. This program is intended to benefit small and mid-sized producers, processors, aggregators, and distributors that sell into all types of markets, including local and regional markets. This program is inclusive of all types of products produced locally or regionally, including fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, grains, and dairy. Applicants are required to prioritize service to underserved communities and businesses. Applicants to be USDA Regional Food Centers should engage and involve these beneficiaries when developing projects and applications.

## Questions people ask

### Is USDA-AMS-TM-LRFD-C-0001 still open?

No. It closed on January 6, 2023.

### Who can apply for USDA Regional Food Business Centers?

Agricultural Marketing Service accepted applications from nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments and tribes. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.

### What is the deadline for USDA Regional Food Business Centers?

Closed January 6, 2023. Applications are no longer accepted; the program's newer notices are on this page when there are any.

### How much funding is available?

Awards of up to $50.0 million each.

### Who has won Regional Food Business Centers grants before?

The largest recipients over five fiscal years were Intertribal Agriculture Council, Inc, Rural Action Inc, University of California Office of the President. The program made 13 awards worth $390 million in that time.