The U.S. Department of Agriculture has partnered with the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI) to offer over $1.5 million in competitive grants aimed at enhancing the territory's food supply chain.

The initiative, part of the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program (RFSI), seeks to bolster local and regional food systems by improving food safety, providing training opportunities, and modernizing processing and manufacturing equipment.

Applications for these grants are open until December 5, 2024. Interested parties can apply by emailing a completed application to [email protected]. Detailed information on grant requirements, eligibility, and evaluation criteria is available on the CFVI website.

USDA Marketing and Regulatory Programs Under Secretary Jenny Lester Moffitt emphasized the importance of this partnership, stating that it allows critical funding to reach essential areas of the supply chain, creating new opportunities for small and midsize producers to thrive and increasing supply chain resiliency. 

Governor Albert Bryan Jr. spoke of the significance of this initiative, noting that facilitating storage and processing will greatly contribute to a more sustainable agricultural future in the territory. 

CFVI President Dee Baecher-Brown expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity, acknowledging the governor's support and leadership as pivotal in maximizing the impact of these funds. 

The RFSI program, authorized by the American Rescue Plan, was announced in May 2023 with up to $420 million allocated to strengthen local and regional food systems across various states and U.S. territories. 

For more information on the RFSI program and application details, visit the AMS Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure webpage.