The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) administers programs that create domestic and international marketing opportunities for U.S. producers of food, fiber, and specialty crops.
The RFSP (Regional Food System Partnerships) program is designed to support the development and strengthening of local or regional food economy viability and resilience. It aims at facilitating partnerships to combine public and private resources for the planning and development of local or regional food systems. This initiative is also directed towards pandemic response and recovery within the food sector. The program encourages applicants and their partners to devise strategies for setting priorities, connecting resources, and measuring progress towards achieving a resilient local or regional food system. The grant emphasizes on innovative, sustainable, and measurable approaches for the food economy, including determining the size and scope of targeted food systems, coordinating with AMS for technical assistance, and conducting outreach and education to enhance participation. Partnerships are expected to bring diverse financial and technical capabilities, demonstrate collaborative efficiency, and have the readiness to work across sectors.