—by Jonelle Mejica

The Washington State Department of Agriculture announced in a news release it has received funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service to support the Resilient Food System Infrastructure Program.

This one-time-only program is intended to build resilience across the middle of Washington’s food supply chain, including aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling and distribution for locally and regionally produced foods. The grants are available to growers, producers, processors and shippers of specialty crops, dairy, grains for human consumption and aquaculture. Meat and poultry products are not eligible.

A total of $7.32 million in federal funding will be awarded for infrastructure grants ranging from $100,000 to $3 million.

Grant applications will be accepted until July 15.

For more information, including grant requirements and application resources, go to: agr.wa.gov/services/grant-opportunities/resilient-food-system-infrastructure. Washington’s Small Business Development Center is available to assist applicants. •