Oregon's efforts to strengthen its food supply chain just received a considerable boost, thanks to a multimillion-dollar injection aimed at fortifying the state's agricultural infrastructure. In a recent announcement, the Oregon Department of Agriculture disclosed the allocation of $2.15 million to seven projects focused on bolstering the crucial middle segments of the supply chain— specifically targeting food processing, storage, and distribution. These funds form part of a larger initiative backed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service, designed to elevate the resilience and diversity of local and regional food systems.
The financial support comes as part of the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) Program—a collaborative agreement with the USDA's AMS—and represents part of a broader investment totaling $4 million across 24 recommended projects. "Agriculture is a cornerstone of our state's economy," Governor Kotek emphasized, "These grants will help farm and food businesses in Oregon develop and diversify local and regional market options, creating more economic opportunities for our communities across the state. We take pride in everything we grow and produce in our great state," as reported by the Oregon Department of Agriculture.
Among the projects receiving funding are the Bohemia Food Hub in Cottage Grove, which will see the construction of a new storage building for refrigerated and frozen produce, and Fry Family Farm in Medford that is set to launch the region's first designated organic milling facility. Manitou in Warm Springs, another grant recipient, is on track to develop a warehouse and cold storage to support the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs with more efficient food distribution, as per the Oregon Department of Agriculture.
"Thank you to the applicants who made this process so competitive," Oregon Department of Agriculture Director Lisa Charpilloz Hanson said, emphasizing the innovative nature of the selected projects aimed at, increasing the supply of locally sourced food products available in Oregon markets. Other initiatives that will benefit from the funding include small farms such as Mora Mora Farm and Mt. Hope Farms, as well as educational institutions like the Food Science Pilot Plant at Oregon State University, which offers crucial co-manufacturing support to burgeoning food and agricultural businesses.
This fiscal boost is part of a larger $420 million Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure grant program, fueled by the American Rescue Plan of 2021 to enhance middle-of-the-supply-chain capacities and support local and regional producers. For a detailed breakdown of projects and further information on RFSI activities in Oregon, interested parties can visit the Oregon Department of Agriculture's dedicated Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure webpage.
Source - https://hoodline.com
