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The U.S. Department of Agriculture is making $7.5 million available to improve cold storage and distribution capabilities for food assistance organizations, helping nonprofits better store and distribute fresh, frozen and minimally processed foods from American farmers and ranchers. The funding is intended to strengthen food assistance infrastructure while expanding access to nutritious U.S.-produced products.
Food Assistance Storage Funding Supports Equipment
The food assistance storage funding will help nonprofit organizations purchase equipment needed to safely store and distribute perishable foods. Eligible products include meat, dairy, eggs and produce, providing food assistance organizations with additional options for incorporating agricultural products into their programs.
Subawards can cover up to $200,000 in equipment and installation costs. Organizations receiving funding will be required to provide a 10% cash match.
Improved cold storage can be particularly valuable for organizations handling products that require temperature-controlled environments. Additional capacity can help nonprofits accept more fresh and frozen foods while maintaining product quality throughout the distribution process.
Connecting Farmers With Food Assistance
The USDA investment is also designed to strengthen the connection between American agricultural production and food assistance programs.
By helping organizations improve their storage and distribution capabilities, the program can make it easier for more products from U.S. farmers and ranchers to reach communities that need them. Expanded infrastructure could also provide food assistance groups with greater flexibility when receiving seasonal or perishable agricultural products.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said the program will help expand access to nutritious food produced by American farmers and ranchers while strengthening the nation’s food assistance infrastructure.
The funding represents an investment in both food access and the infrastructure needed to move agricultural products efficiently from producers to consumers.
Hear more about this USDA funding by listening to the audio report below.