It is important to carefully review the full RFP to understand what kinds of projects and costs are eligible and which are not. A list of ineligible expenses can be found on page eight of the RFP. Some common reasons why a cost would not be allowed include:
- The cost is not part of the middle of the supply chain (e.g., it’s a cost for production, harvesting, marketing, retail, or serving food directly to consumers).
- The cost is related to ineligible agricultural products such as meat, poultry, animal feed, or cannabis.
- The cost is for purchasing land or an existing facility.
Note: You also cannot use ineligible costs as match to your project.
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%).
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.