Eligible Entities
Only eligible partnerships may apply to RFSP. A partnership must include at least one eligible entity and one or more eligible partners. The partnership agreement may be documented as a formal agreement, such as a contract or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
Eligible entities include:
• Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) network or association
• Economic Development Corporation
• Farmer or rancher cooperative
• Food council
• Local government
• Majority-controlled producer-based business venture
• Nonprofit corporation
• Producer, or producer network and association
• Public benefit corporation
• Regional farmers market authority
• Tribal government
Eligible partners include:
• Commercial, federal or farm credit system lending institution
• Institutions of higher education (IHE)
• Philanthropic organization
• Private corporation
• State agencies or regional authority
Eligible Activities
RFSP projects help connect public and private resources to plan and develop local or regional food systems. The RFSP focuses on making local or regional food economies stronger and more resilient. Applicants must partner to promote the development of local or regional food systems. The partners will work together to set priorities, connect resources and services, and track progress towards shared goals.
RFSP offers two project types:
• Planning and Design: projects support partnerships in the early stages of development by bringing together people and organizations, to plan, coordinate, and design strategies for strengthening local or regional food systems.
• Implementation and Expansion: projects support partnerships that build on previous or ongoing efforts within a local or regional food system.
Return to search 
