The State of Maine is seeking applications for the Maine Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) equipment-only grant program. Funding will be awarded in the range of $10,000-$100,000 for special purpose equipment to be purchased by eligible Maine food and beverage entities.
Funds will support middle of the supply chain equipment investments for the aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, and distribution of Maine-produced food and beverage products.
Non-equipment expenses, such as personnel, facility updates, and non-equipment costs, are not eligible for this funding opportunity. Applicants are not required to provide a matching contribution.
Grants will be awarded in five food and beverage product categories:
- Foods and beverages inclusive of 51 percent or more Maine-grown and harvested specialty crops.
- Foods and beverages inclusive of 51 percent or more Maine dairy or eggs.
- Food and beverages inclusive of 51 percent or more Maine grains.
- Foods and beverages inclusive of 51 percent or more Maine-farmed aquaculture.
- Maine-produced specialty food and beverage products containing one or more Maine-grown and harvested ingredients.
The headquarters of eligible applicants must be located in Maine. Applicants must operate, maintain, and report on the special purpose equipment; all grant funded activities must occur in Maine. Food products including meat, poultry, wild-caught and foraged ingredients are excluded.
The Request for Applications (RFA) and all amendments related to the RFA, can be obtained at the RFSI website.
Applications must be submitted to the State of Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, via email, at: rfsi.agr@maine.gov.
Application submissions must be received no later than 11:59 p.m., local time, on October 28, 2024. Applications will be opened the following business day. Applications not submitted to the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry’s aforementioned e-mail address by the aforementioned deadline according to the instructions outlined in the aforementioned RFA will not be considered for award.
RFSI Grant Website