The finalists selected to lead 12 new regional centers to promote local agribusinesses have been named by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the agency announced May 3.
USDA Regional Food Business Centers (RFBCs) "will support producers by providing localized assistance to access a variety of markets, including linking producers to wholesalers and distributors," the agency states in the news release.
The USDA is also investing $420 million in the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) program" to fund innovative projects designed to invest in processing and distribution capacity to build resilience across the middle of the supply chain and strengthen local and regional food systems," the news release reports.
RFBCs will strengthen rural-urban connections; drive regional economic opportunities; and create a more resilient and diversified food system, according to the release. The organizations selected to lead the RFBCs are a cross-section of associations, institutions and organizations that will engage with local food and farm groups to develop strategies that will build resiliency in the food systems. RFBCs will focus on assisting historically underserved communities in their regions, the release reports.
Jenny Lester Moffitt, USDA under secretary for Marketing and Regulatory programs, said the new RFBCs are the "cornerstone" of the USDA's efforts to support local and regional food systems
“The resources and diverse knowledge offered through the Centers will make the opportunities available through dozens of USDA programs more accessible to small and mid-sized producers and food and farm businesses," Lester Moffitt said in the release. "The Centers technical assistance coupled with the additional funding for processing capacity and infrastructure improvements through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure program is bringing us many steps closer to reaching the goals of the Food System Transformation framework.”
The lead organization selected for each regional center are: Rural Action Inc., Appalachia RFBC; Mississippi Delta Council for Farmworker Opportunities, Delta RFBC; Michigan State University, Great Lakes Midwest RFBC; University of Nebraska, Heartland RFBC; Intertribal Agriculture Council, National Intertribal Food Business Center; Hawaii Good Food Alliance, Island and Remote Areas RFBC; Region Five Development Commission, North Central RFBC; NASDA Foundation, Northeast RFBC; Colorado State University, Northwest and Rocky Mountain RFBC; Texas A&M AgriLife, Rio Grande Colonias RFBC; Georgia Minority Outreach Network, Southeast RFBC; and University of California, Southwest RFBC.
USDA Sec. Tom Vilsack said in the release that the administration of President Joseph Biden is "committed" to improving the nation's food system to include new market opportunities for small and mid-size farmers and producers by way of a stronger local food system.
"The Regional Food Business Centers, along with investments through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program, will create new and expanded local market opportunities which will improve farm income, create good paying jobs and build greater resilience in our overall food system," Vilsack said.
