CT Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program

The purpose of the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) program is to build and establish resilience in the middle of the food supply chain; to provide more and better markets to small farms and food businesses; to support the development of value-added products for consumers, fair prices, and fair wages; and create new and safe job opportunities. RFSI seeks to expand capacity and infrastructure for the aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, or distribution of food products grown in Connecticut. RFSI proposals must support the middle of the supply chain, which refers to stages two (2), processing and three (3), aggregation and distribution. Eligible Applicants: Entities eligible to apply for RFSIP will be: -Agricultural producers or processors, or groups of agricultural producers and processors conducting middle of the supply chain activities. -Nonprofit organizations operating middle-of-the-supply-chain activities. -For-profit entities operating middle-of-the-supply-chain activities whose activities are primarily focused for the benefit of local and regional producers and that meet the eligibility requirements of the SBA small business size standards. -Local government entities operating middle-of-the-supply-chain activities. -Tribal governments operating middle-of-the-supply-chain activities. -Institutions such as schools, universities, or hospitals bringing producers together to establish cooperative or shared infrastructure or invest in equipment that will benefit multiple producers through middle-of-the-supply-chain activities.