USDA and Connecticut Award Over $670,000 to Projects that Strengthen Food Supply Chain Infrastructure

WASHINGTON, Oct. 17, 2024 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today announced it has partnered with Connecticut to award over $670,000 for three projects through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program (RFSI) to build resilience across the middle of the supply chain and strengthen local and regional food systems.<_o3a_p>

"Projects funded through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure program are building strength and resilience in Connecticut's food system, diversifying agricultural markets, creating new revenue streams for small and mid-sized producers, and providing economic opportunities for local communities," said USDA Marketing and Regulatory Programs Under Secretary Jenny Lester Moffitt. "USDA is grateful for Connecticut's support strengthening local and regional agricultural supply chains."

Through this program, the Connecticut Department of Agriculture will fund three Infrastructure Grants to support middle of the supply chain infrastructure.<_o3a_p>

Funded Projects:<_o3a_p>

• The Modern Milkman, based in Ellington, Conn., will establish an aggregation and distribution hub in Danbury along the Interstate 95 corridor. By building crucial delivery infrastructure, this project helps local and regional producers to reach more consumers.
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• Yellow Farmhouse Education Center, Inc in Stonington, Conn., is using RFSI funding to create shared processing and cold-storage facilities for kelp farms and other local small-scale farms. <_o3a_p>
• The New London Community Meal Center, Inc. in New London, Conn., will build a cooperative commercial kitchen to provide an affordable and accessible space for rent to local farmers for preserving, storing and processing food from locally grown ingredients, expanding producers' ability to create new products and enter new markets.<_o3a_p>

"Building a resilient food systems infrastructure is essential for Connecticut producers. By investing in projects that enhance aggregation and distribution of fluid milk and value-added dairy, as well as shared processing and cold-storage facilities for CT Grown products from the ground to the Sound, we can fortify our local economy," said Connecticut Department of Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt. "This collaboration not only boosts resilience and vitality but also opens doors to new revenue streams and market opportunities leveraging federal funding. Together, we can create a sustainable future for our agricultural community and food systems statewide."<_o3a_p>

This awarded funding is part of the $420 million available through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure grant program to build capacity within the middle of the supply chain and support local and regional producers. It is funded by President Biden's American Rescue Plan. Through this program, AMS has entered into cooperative agreements with state agencies, commissions, or departments responsible for agriculture, commercial food processing, seafood, or food system and distribution activities or commerce activities in states or U.S. territories.<_o3a_p>

For more information, visit the AMS Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure webpage. The status of each state and territory's RFSI program is available on the program's State Grant Webpage. <_o3a_p>

AMS administers programs that create domestic and international marketing opportunities for U.S. producers of food, fiber, and specialty crops. AMS also provides the agriculture industry with valuable services to ensure the quality and availability of wholesome food for consumers across the country and globally. AMS services and its significant grant investments create opportunities by supporting American farmers, ranchers and businesses across the supply chain, and drive economic development in small towns and rural communities.

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USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America's food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.

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