The U.S. Department of Agriculture, in partnership with the State of Montana, will award $3.1 million to eight projects to support supply chain infrastructure.
Funding will be allocated to five infrastructure grants and three equipment grants.
Central Montana Food Hub, Western Montana Producers Cooperative, Yellowstone Valley Food Hub and other organizations will receive funding.
“Through this program, we will be able to invest in small and medium-sized producers, retain more of the income they earn, strengthen the resiliency of our state's food system, and provide rural communities with more local This will help preserve funding,” the Montana Department of State said. Agriculture Commissioner Christy Clark said in a press release.
This funding is part of $420 million available through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Grant Program.
The Montana Department of Agriculture announced:
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today partnered with the State of Montana through the Resilient Food System Infrastructure Program (RFSI) to build and strengthen resilience across the middle of the supply chain. announced that it has awarded $3.1 million to eight projects. local and regional food systems;
“Projects funded through the Resilient Food System Infrastructure Program will build the strength and resiliency of Montana's food system, diversify agricultural markets, and create new sources of income for small and medium-sized producers. and provide economic opportunities for local communities,” the USDA Office of Marketing and Regulation said. Program Undersecretary Jenny Lester Moffitt; “The Department of Agriculture appreciates Montana’s support in strengthening local and regional agricultural supply chains.”
Through this program, the Montana Department of Agriculture will fund eight projects, including five infrastructure grants and three equipment grants to support intermediate infrastructure in the supply chain.
Examples of funded projects:
Central Montana Food Hub, located in Harlowton, Montana, has received an infrastructure grant to build a state-of-the-art warehouse and processing facility. This project will address a critical gap in central Montana's supply chain and strengthen the capacity and efficiency of the region's agricultural producers, processors, and distributors.
Western Montana Producers Cooperative in Missoula, Montana, is using RFSI funding to renovate its existing facility to expand cold storage, increase transportation capacity, and improve worker safety.
Yellowstone Valley Food Hub in Billings, Montana, will enhance local food aggregation, storage and distribution capabilities and add value in existing facilities to expand retail and wholesale markets within the Yellowstone Valley. Received funding to establish processing.
“Montana producers are the backbone of our economy,” said Kristi Clark, director of the Montana Department of Agriculture. “Through this program, we will be able to invest in small and medium-sized producers, retain more of the income they earn, strengthen the resiliency of our state's food system, and provide rural communities with more local You will be able to maintain your funds.”
This awarded funding is part of $420 million available through the Resilient Food System Infrastructure Grant Program to build capacity in the middle of the supply chain and support local and regional producers. Funding comes from 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, food systems, and distribution or commercial activities in a state or U.S. territory.
For more information, please visit the AMS Resilient Food System Infrastructure webpage. The status of each state and territory's RFSI program can be found on the program's state grants webpage.
