DACF Launches RFSI Program Website; Virtual Office Hours Scheduled
The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) is preparing to open its Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) program. In preparation for a Request for Applications (RFA), DACF has launched a RFSI program webpage providing a program overview, contact information, quick facts, and an anticipated timeline.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is partnering with state Departments of Agriculture to invest in food supply chain resilience, market access, and value-added processing infrastructure through RFSI.
The purpose of Maine's RFSI program is to build resilience across the state's middle of the food supply chain. Funds will support expanded capacity for the aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, and distribution of Maine-produced food products, including specialty crops, dairy, grains for human consumption, aquaculture, and other food products, excluding meat and poultry.
RFSI Virtual Office Hours
Maine DACF will hold four RFSI virtual office hours to provide an overview of the program, eligibility, and program priorities and to answer program questions:
- Monday, February 12, 2024, 2:00 PM
- Tuesday, February 20, 2024, 2:00 PM
- Monday, February 26, 2024, 2:00 PM
- Tuesday, March 5, 2024, 11:00 AM
Once the Maine RFSI RFA opens (anticipated in mid-March), DACF will conduct one round of questions and answers to address general inquiries about the application process through the Maine Procurement Systems RFA Q&A process, as listed in the upcoming RFSI RFA instructions. Questions received during office hours will be included in the published Q&A.
Please email Michelle Webb, Maine RFSI Program Coordinator, to sign up for one or more of the RFSI virtual office hours: michelle.t.webb@maine.gov.
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