Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program

Posted on Aug 3, 2023 in Main

Announcement: Request for Applications (RFA) Posted.

This page was last updated Jan 18, 2024.

Introduction to RFSI Program

The Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) Program is designed to develop and administer state-coordinated initiatives that enhance resilience in the middle-of-the-supply-chain operations while strengthening local and regional food systems. The Hawaii RFSI Program, allocated with $2,587,480 in funding, prioritizes expanding capacity and infrastructure for the aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, or distribution of specific agricultural products (including eggs and honey but excluding meat and poultry).

In partnership with the USDA-AMS, the Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) will conduct a competitive solicitation process to distribute funds across two grant categories. The Infrastructure Grant Program will provide up to $1,587,480 in funding and the Simplified Equipment-Only Grant Program will provide an additional $1,000,000. Applicants have the option to choose either grant offering.

Infrastructure grants range in value, ranging from a minimum award of $100,000 to a maximum award of $500,000, with a 50% matching fund requirement (though certain historically underserved groups may qualify for reduced match of 25%). Simplified Equipment-Only grants range from a minimum award of $10,000 to a maximum award of $100,000, with no matching fund requirement.

SIGNIFICANCE OF RFSI PROGRAM FOR HAWAII

The significance of the RFSI Program for Hawaii lies in its aim to enhance food processing options for local and regional producers across the island chain. The primary focus of project funding is on expanding capacity and infrastructure in the middle of the supply chain, thereby strengthening the local food system.

The USDA defines the middle of the food supply chain as activities occurring after the production of the agricultural product but before the product is sold to consumers. These activities encompass the processing, aggregation, and distribution of agricultural products between leaving the field and entering the marketplace. Consequently, grant funds are ineligible for use in cultivations, harvest, or retail marketing of eligible food products.

RFSI Program Eligibility

Eligibility is open to domestically owned entities with facilities physically located within the State of Hawaii, including:

Agricultural producers or processors, and groups thereof;
Nonprofit organizations engaged in middle-of-the-supply-chain activities, such as processing, aggregation, and distribution of designated agricultural products;
For-profit entities involved in middle-of-the-supply-chain activities like processing, aggregation, or distribution of designated agricultural products, with a primarily focus on local and regional producer benefit, and meeting SBA small business size standards;
Local government entities participating in middle-of-the-supply-chain activities, such as processing, aggregation, and distribution of designated agricultural products;
Tribal governments engaged in middle-of-the-supply-chain activities, such as processing, aggregation, and distribution of designated agricultural products; and
Institutions such as schools, universities, or hospitals that facilitate collaboration among producers or invest in equipment to benefit multiple producers in middle-of-the-supply-chain activities, including processing, aggregation, and distribution of designated agricultural product.

Request for Applications (RFA)

Funding totaling $2,587,480 is available for competitive sub-awards through two types of grant opportunities. Applicants have the option to choose either grant offering.

RFSI Timeline

Request for Applications: Posting, Thursday, January 18, 2024

Deadline for Submissions: 12:00 P.M. (Noon), Monday, February 26, 2024

Notice of Awards: April 2024 (Estimate)

RFA Document

Infrastructure Grants

Infrastructure Grants will range in value from a minimum award of $100,000 and a maximum award of $500,000. The total amount available is $1,587,480. Funds will be disbursed no earlier than June 1, 2024, and projects must be completed by May 24, 2027.

RFSI Infrastructure Grant Application*

* If the application file does not open, the alternate option is to download the file to your desktop/laptop first (Click Save button or Ctrl+S), then open the Adobe Acrobat Reader app from your desktop/laptop, and finally select the downloaded file. It then opens and the application is fillable.

Match Verification Template Letter

Evidence of Critical Resource Infrastructure Template Letter

Other Supporting Documents Required for Application:

Letters of Support
Infrastructure Plans
Equipment Quotes, Contracts, Pricing

Simplified Equipment-Only Grants

Simplified Equipment-Only Grants will range in value from a minimum award of $10,000 and a maximum award of $100,000 and do not require cost sharing or matching. The total amount available is $1,000,000. The Simplified Equipment-Only Grant is a fixed price grant, meaning it will fund only equipment purchases (not associated facility upgrades, staffing, or other costs), and the amount awarded will be equal to the cost of the equipment up to $100,000. Funds will be awarded no earlier than June 1, 2024, and project transactions completed by May 24, 2025.

RFSI Simplified Equipment-Only Grant Application**

** If the application file does not open, the alternate option is to download the file to your desktop/laptop first (Click Save button or Ctrl+S), then open the Adobe Acrobat Reader app from your desktop/laptop, and finally select the downloaded file. It then opens and the application is fillable.

Evidence of Critical Resource Infrastructure Template Letter

Other Supporting Documents Required for Application:

Letters of Support
Equipment Quotes, Contracts, Pricing

Submission Procedure

A completed e-copy of the relevant application (Infrastructure or Simplified Equipment-Only) and supporting documents must be emailed to [email protected] and received by the HDOA, Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) Program, no later than 12:00 P.M. (Noon) Hawaii Standard Time (HST) on Monday, February 26, 2024. Applications received after the 12:00 Noon deadline shall not be processed by staff or reviewed by the Evaluation Committee (EC). All applicants must be a legal entity with a Unique Entity ID (see IX. Other Resources – Quick Start Guide for Getting a Unique Entity ID) and have the legal capacity to contract with the State of Hawaii.