USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service Monday announced a cooperative agreement with Puerto Rico under the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program.
USDA and Puerto Rico are working together to offer more than $3.5 million in competitive grant funding for projects designed to build resilience across the middle of the supply chain. Puerto Rico is accepting applications for this Infrastructure Grant funding through June 30, 2024. Using the funding, the Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture will bolster the island’s agricultural infrastructure with an emphasis on establishing advanced industrial processing facilities. The department will fund projects that expand processing capacity, support new wholesale product lines, increase packaging and labeling capacities, increase cold storage, and purchase specialized equipment and delivery vehicles. The island’s priorities are informed by stakeholder engagement and outreach to underserved producers to understand their needs better.
USDA Marketing and Regulatory Programs Undersecretary Jenny Lester Moffitt says, “The projects will create new opportunities for the region’s small and midsize producers to thrive.”
