The Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA) was recently awarded funding from USDA AMS through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program (RFSI). Through this program, approximately $3.2 million will be available for competitive sub-award grants to support the development of the middle-of-the-supply-chain for Arizona-based food and farm businesses. 

Through the RFSI Program, AZDA will issue the following types of grants:

  • Simplified Equipment-Only Grants (minimum of $10,000 and maximum of $100,000 for equipment only plus taxes and fees).
  • Infrastructure Grants (minimum of $100,000 for personnel, equipment, supplies, construction, etc.). 

These funds support expanding capacity for the aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, and distribution of local food products including specialty crops, dairy, grains for human consumption, aquaculture, and other food products, excluding meat and poultry. 

AZDA is now accepting RFSI applications, please visit our grants page for more information.

AZDA is also partnering with Pinnacle Prevention to provide technical assistance to RFSI applicants. Please visit the partner page to find out more about the support they are offering.