The USDA today announced investments in 12 Regional Food Business Centers–including one in California–that will provide coordination, technical assistance, and capacity building to help farmers, ranchers, and other food businesses access new markets and navigate federal, state, and local resources. In addition, the USDA announced a Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program (RFSI) 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
CDFA Secretary Karen Ross:
“We are very encouraged by today’s announcement by the USDA. The investment in the University of California’s Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) as a Regional Food Business Center brings tremendous expertise and technical assistance to support our Ag Vision goals of building healthy communities and local, resilient climate-smart food systems.
“The total USDA investment of $820 million creates a tremendous opportunity for collaboration and partnerships throughout the state to expand opportunities for every Californian to have access to healthy CA Grown food as well as job opportunities in local food systems.
”I appreciate Secretary Vilsack’s commitment to making investments like these so meaningful for rural communities.”
See this fact sheet and this FAQ document about Regional Food System Partnerships