The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) have awarded $23.2 million for 30 new projects under the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) program. These awards add to 41 previously announced equipment grants, funding 71 Wisconsin projects that enhance local and regional food systems.
“These grants will strengthen Wisconsin’s food supply chains, diversify markets, and also create economic opportunities for small and mid-sized producers,” said USDA Under Secretary Jenny Lester Moffitt.
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers emphasized the importance of the investments. He stated, “Our farmers and agricultural industries drive our state’s economy and ensure food gets to tables across the world.”
Examples of Funded Projects
- Doudlah Farms Organics (Evansville): A 20,000-square-foot processing facility will help 550 producers warehouse, package, and distribute organic ingredients.
- Nasonville Dairy (Marshfield): A new cold milk separator will process 25 million more pounds of milk annually, creating five new value-added products.
- Red Door Family Farm (Athens): A new packing shed, cold storage, and refrigerated truck will support their farm and 20 others by distributing organic produce to wholesalers and food access organizations.
- Seasonal Harvest (De Pere): New delivery vehicles and a shared wash/pack facility will increase capacity to serve underserved farms and buyers like the Green Bay Packers.
- Stockbridge-Munsee Community (Bowler): A food processing facility will store Indigenous crops and promote local food sovereignty through a network coordinated by the Great Lakes Intertribal Food Coalition.
- Wisconsin Food Hub Cooperative (Waupaca): Warehouse expansion and new trucks will optimize routes, connecting small farms and Tribal initiatives with distressed communities and schools.
Program Overview
These projects are part of $420 million in funding from the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure program. The program builds supply chain resilience by fostering collaboration with state agencies to support producers and distributors.
For a complete list of grantees and details about the program, visit USDA RFSI Grants.
