USDA and Maine Award Nearly $1 Million to Projects that Strengthen Food Supply Chain Infrastructure

WASHINGTON, Dec. 13, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today announced it has partnered with Maine to award nearly $1 million for five projects through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program (RFSI) to build resilience across the middle of the supply chain and strengthen local and regional food systems.

“Projects funded through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure program are building strength and resilience in Maine’s food system, diversifying agricultural markets, creating new revenue streams for small and mid-sized producers, and providing economic opportunities for local communities,” said USDA Marketing and Regulatory Programs Under Secretary Jenny Lester Moffitt. “USDA is grateful for Maine’s support strengthening local and regional agricultural supply chains.”

“These grants reflect our commitment to support farmers, advance the future of Maine’s food systems, and ensure the resilience of local and regional supply chains,” said Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Commissioner Amanda Beal. “By addressing infrastructure challenges, we are helping Maine producers meet growing demand while creating new economic opportunities.”

Through this program, the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry will fund five Infrastructure Grant projects to support middle of the supply chain infrastructure. Maine is in the process of reviewing RFSI Equipment Only applications which will be awarded in the coming months

Funded Projects:

• Bouchard Family Farm in Fort Kent, Maine, plans to expand its processing facility to double the production of its gluten-free buckwheat flour and boost the use of buckwheat as a rotation crop for local farms while creating three new jobs. The project includes constructing a new addition, adding milling capacity, and increasing storage.
• Maine Grains in Skowhegan, Maine, will add infrastructure capacity for grain extrusion, enabling the production of ready-to-eat cereals, snacks, and bars while supporting Maine farmers. This project aims to connect small producers to new markets and launch three innovative cereal products using local grains.
• Maine Coast Sea Vegetables in Hancock, Maine, will install and operate a seaweed powder mill to process farm-raised kelp into high-value powder, filling a supply chain gap for Maine’s seaweed growers. The project enhances profitability and product development opportunities in the state’s seaweed industry.
• Atlantic Sea Farms in Biddeford, Maine, will expand kelp processing capacity by increasing cold storage, automating production lines, and developing infrastructure for dried and fermented kelp products. This project will reduce costs, improve food safety, and support rural kelp farmers in Maine.
• Tops’l Farm in Waldoboro, Maine, will build a new processing facility to create shelf-stable products highlighting Maine-grown ingredients. The project supports over 30 farms, expands distribution to online and retail markets, and establishes the Tops’l Farm Growers Collective to strengthen agricultural resilience.

This awarded funding is part of the $420 million available through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure grant program to build capacity within the middle of the supply chain and support local and regional producers. It is funded by President Biden’s American Rescue Plan. Through this program, AMS has entered into cooperative agreements with state agencies, commissions, or departments responsible for agriculture, commercial food processing, seafood, or food system and distribution activities or commerce activities in states or U.S. territories.

For more information, visit the AMS Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure webpage. The status of each state and territory’s RFSI program is available on the program’s State Grant Webpage.

AMS administers programs that create domestic and international marketing opportunities for U.S. producers of food, fiber, and specialty crops. AMS also provides the agriculture industry with valuable services to ensure the quality and availability of wholesome food for consumers across the country and globally. AMS services and its significant grant investments create opportunities by supporting American farmers, ranchers and businesses across the supply chain, and drive economic development in small towns and rural communities.

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.

Get the latest Agricultural Marketing Service news at www.ams.usda.gov/news. 

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Media Contact: Public Affairs (202) 720-8998, PA@usda.gov

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