Program Purpose
The Regional Food System Partnerships (RFSP) program supports partnerships that connect public and private resources to plan and develop local or regional food systems. The program focuses on building and strengthening the viability and resilience of local or regional food economies through collaboration and coordination. RFSP supports public-private partnerships that plan and develop relationships between local and regional producers, processors, intermediaries, and institutional markets or institutional food service operations through local and regional producers and local and regional food systems. RFSP is part of the Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP).
The FY 2024 grant application period is open through May 14, 2024.
- FY 2024 Request For Applications (RFA) (pdf)
*The RFA is a primary resource for information about the Regional Food System Partnerships Program. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review it carefully and follow its guidance. - How to Apply
Project Types
RFSP offers two types of projects, 24-month Planning and Design and 36-month Implementation and Expansion Projects. Planning and Design projects range from $100,000 to $250,000, while Implementation and Expansion projects range from $250,000 to $1,000,000.
Eligibility
Eligible entities include producers, farmer or rancher cooperatives, producer networks or associations, majority-controlled producer-based business venture, community supported agriculture networks or associations, food councils, local governments, nonprofit corporations, public benefit corporations, economic development corporations, regional farmers market authorities, and tribal governments.
Eligible partners include state agencies or regional authorities, philanthropic corporations, institutions of higher education, private corporations, and commercial, federal or farm credit system lending institutions.
Cost Sharing or Matching
The program requires cash-only matching fund contributions in an amount equal to 25 percent of the total Federal portion of the grant.
Funded Projects
For more information, go to the RFSP Awarded Grants webpage
Additional Information
- AMS will be hosting webinars for applicants. For dates and registration instructions, visit our AMS Grant Webinars page.
- AMS is offering office hours to answer questions from applicants. To register visit, Register for April 11 or Register for May 2.
- LAMP Stakeholder Toolkit (docx)
- LAMP images for social media (zip)
- RFSP Fact Sheet (pdf)
- RFSP FAQ (pdf)