Beginning May 1, $6.2 million in competitive grants will be available to small agribusinesses to purchase equipment and for infrastructure projects to strengthen the middle of the food supply chain. NCDA&CS has received funding for the program from USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service. The deadline for accepting applications is June 15.
- On May 1, the department will be opening the application period for small agribusinesses to apply for $6.2 million in funding for equipment purchases and infrastructure improvements aimed at strengthening the middle of the food supply chain.
- Listeners will likely remember back to the pandemic and how stores were low on some food products including milk and meats, but you would read stories about milk being dumped because of supply chain issues, well, this grant is expected to help counter situations like that.
- Consumers saw the importance of local food production during the pandemic and looked for and purchased local products, which was a boost for local growers.
- So, we know that strengthening our food supply chain will greatly benefit consumers and producers long-term.
- And overall, this program will help us be better prepared for the future.
- On past shows, I’ve talked a lot about the IMPEC program and funding offered through the department.
- This program is similar, but instead of focusing on processing and production, it will center on the food supply chain.
- We anticipate these grants will better position the supply chain for produce, dairy products, eggs, aquaculture and value-added products produced in our state.
- Specifically, these grants will focus on expanding capacity and infrastructure for the aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, or distribution of targeted agricultural products.
- Grants of up to $100,000 for equipment only purchases and up to $2 million for infrastructure projects will be available.
- Applications will be accepted through June 15.
- Funding for this program comes through the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service.
- We do plan to offer informational sessions to discuss the program with interested parties.
- Will post information on the department’s website at www.ncagr.gov when those dates are finalized. The application and details about applying will go up on the website May 1.