Your project should be primarily focused on foods that are eligible for the RFSI program. It is acceptable for applicants and projects to handle ineligible meat and poultry products, as long the primary focus of the project is eligible products and you do not request funding for the ineligible products. In your application, you should describe the tracking mechanisms that will be used to ensure that RFSI funds are not used to support ineligible products.
For example, if a food hub moves 80% produce and 20% meat, the food hub may request funds for the activities and expenses relevant and proportional to handling produce (80%) but not for handling meat (20%).
On-farm storage facilities or equipment used only to benefit a single producer would not be eligible for RFSI funding because this is considered part of the production and harvesting stage of the food supply chain. However, in some cases, on-farm storage may be eligible as a middle-of-the-food-supply-chain activity if the on-farm storage facility/equipment is used to aggregate products for multiple producers or store products that have undergone further processing.
On-farm storage facilities or equipment used only to benefit a single producer would not be eligible for RFSI funding because this is considered part of the production and harvesting stage of the food supply chain. However, in some cases, on-farm storage may be eligible as a middle-of-the-food-supply-chain activity if the on-farm storage facility/equipment is used to aggregate products for multiple producers or store products that have undergone further processing.
No, projects or organizations do not need to be located in a DCI county to be eligible to apply. However, projects that directly and meaningfully benefit DCI counties will receive priority points. The Project Evaluation Profile found on page 19 of the RFP outlines how applications will be scored.
No, projects or organizations do not need to be located in a DCI county to be eligible to apply. However, projects that directly and meaningfully benefit DCI counties will receive priority points. The Project Evaluation Profile found on page 19 of the RFP outlines how applications will be scored.
We have a variety of funding opportunities available for farmers and food businesses. Even if RFSI isn’t a fit for your project or organization, you can review our full list of funding opportunities to see if there is another grant that could support your project.
We have a variety of funding opportunities available for farmers and food businesses. Even if RFSI isn’t a fit for your project or organization, you can review our full list of funding opportunities to see if there is another grant that could support your project.
When determining if a cost will be eligible as match, it must meet these three criteria:
- It is an eligible cost that could be paid for with grant funds.
- It will happen during the grant period.
- It will be paid for with non-federal funds.
When determining if a cost will be eligible as match, it must meet these three criteria:
- It is an eligible cost that could be paid for with grant funds.
- It will happen during the grant period.
- It will be paid for with non-federal funds.
There is no specific set aside or portion of RFSI funds dedicated specifically to tribal/Native American (Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, or enrolled members of a federally or state-recognized tribe) applications. However, tribal/Native American applicants (Native American farmers and producers, businesses owned by Native Americans, tribally owned businesses, and tribal governments) will qualify for the reduced 25% match, so long as the business or entity applying for the grant is majority-owned and/or controlled by Native Americans, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, or enrolled members of a federally or state-recognized tribe. Tribal/Native American applicants may also be eligible to receive additional priority points as target beneficiaries of the program.