Creating Resilient Food Systems in Alabama

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service has announced a major partnership with Alabama, granting $5.9 million for six new projects through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure program. This funding aims to build resilience across the middle of Alabama’s food supply chain and strengthen local and regional food systems.

Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries, Rick Pate, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “Prioritizing this project has been essential for Alabama since the COVID-19 pandemic. We’re proud to be one of the first states to secure sub-awards for this critical program.”

These projects include support for the Alabama State Association of Cooperatives, which, in partnership with Tuskegee University Cooperative Extension and local aggregators, will advance cold chain and processing infrastructure to benefit the Black Belt region. Miller Family Dairy will construct a new processing facility for milk products, while Anderson Farms will create a produce processing facility to serve local schools.

This funding is part of a larger USDA commitment to bolster supply chain resilience nationwide.