301-24-096 Grant Opportunity Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) is offering a grant opportunity aimed at strengthening resilience within the middle of the food supply chain. The program focuses on expanding capacity for activities such as aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storage, transportation, wholesaling, and distribution of locally and regionally produced food products, including specialty crops, dairy, grains for human consumption, and aquaculture, while excluding meat and poultry. This initiative is designed to support domestic food and farm businesses and other eligible entities through competitive subawards, in partnership with the USDA, to enhance infrastructure and operational capabilities in these critical supply chain segments. The application window for this solicitation opens on March 15, 2024, and closes on April 15, 2024. Interested applicants can find additional details and submit their proposals through the designated online portal. The program is managed under NAICS code 541715 and is targeted at organizations classified as SLED (State, Local, Education, and Nonprofit). For inquiries, Lisa Cumming is the primary contact person, reachable via email at [email hidden] or by phone at [phone hidden]. This initiative represents a strategic effort to bolster regional food systems by investing in infrastructure that supports the entire supply chain, ultimately promoting food security and economic resilience within Virginia.