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Building a Resilient Food System

The United States has developed a productive agricultural system, but over time consolidation has pushed smaller producers aside, leaving them 

and their communities struggling. USDA is using today’s pivotal moment to support a food system that works better for everyone. Through more than 

50 grant, loan, and technical assistance programs, USDA is supporting greater opportunities for farmers, processors, distributors, and consumers —

all toward building fair, competitive, local, and resilient U.S. food systems. Learn more at usda.gov/markets.

usda.gov

Create More, New & Better Markets

USDA provides grants, loans, and technical assistance 

to build, expand, and improve meat, poultry, and 

other processing and distribution facilities, as well 

as food retail. These programs will generate new market 

opportunities for producers, save and create jobs in rural 

and urban America, and build a more reliable food supply 

chain. So far, our partners have helped more than 1,000 

small meat processors grow.

Build Capacity, 

Knowledge & Equity

USDA is investing in trusted local and regional partners 

in all 50 states, territories, and tribal communities 

to provide technical assistance for producers to diversify 

revenue streams, access new markets, transition to 

organic production, and support urban farmers. We are 

also supporting a new generation of diverse agricultural 

professionals and providing financial support to new local 

food and farm businesses.

Increase Competition

USDA is dedicated to promoting competitive markets 

and establishing a fair playing field. New rules modernize 

enforcement of livestock and poultry market policies, strengthen 

national organic standards, and better define what it means 

for meat to be labeled as a “Product of USA.” Farmers 

and ranchers can now use the Cattle Contract Library and 

enhanced market data to help them compete effectively and 

the Farmer Fairness portal to report potentially unfair and 

uncompetitive practices. Support Innovative Ways 

to Purchase H ealthy Food

Schools, food pantries, and other emergency 

assistance agencies nationwide are providing healthy, 

locally produced food to more people thanks to 

funding USDA provides to states, tribes, and territories. 

More than 12,000 producers will sell their products at fair 

prices through these channels, keeping food dollars in local 

economies, increasing sales for small and underserved 

producers, and shortening the supply chain between 

producers and consumers.

Expand Access to Nutritious Food

We’re helping shoppers stretch their food dollars and 

connecting buyers directly with local producers.

More than 67,000 schools now have farm-to-school 

programs, 2 million low-income seniors and WIC participants 

receive coupons to use at farmers markets, and more 

than 5,000 farmstands and farmers markets accept SNAP, 

with many also participating in incentive and produce 

prescription programs.
usda.gov

Cultivating Access & Innovation

USDA programs are working to build a more resilient food system. Here’s a sample of the dozens of programs 

that help small and mid-sized producers, processors, and food businesses thrive.

More, New & 

Better Markets

Investing in economic opportunities in the food supply chain by 

providing resources for producers to add value to their products 

and to develop and diversify their markets:

• Local Food Promotion Program

• Farmers Market Promotion Program

• Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program

• Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program

• Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives

• Farm Storage Facility Loan Program

• Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Grants

• Value-Added Producer Grants

• Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grants 

• Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program

• Indigenous Animals Grants

• Local Meat Capacity Grants

• Organic Market Development Grants

• Community Food Projects Grants

Capacity, Knowledge 

& Equity

Boosting the ability and capacity of all of today’s and tomorrow’s 

agricultural professionals:

• USDA Regional Food Business Centers

• Transition to Organic Partnership Program

• Meat and Poultry Processing Capacity 

Technical Assistance 

• USDA Urban Service Centers

• Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities

• Regional Food System Partnerships

• Next Generation of Diverse Food and 

Agriculture Professionals

• Centers of Excellence at 1890 Institutions

• Agriculture Risk Management Education 

Partnerships Grants

• AFRI – Meat and Poultry Processing – Agricultural 

Workforce Training

• USDA Climate Hubs

• Hispanic-Serving Institutions Education Grants

• Tribal College Program

Competitive 

Markets

Increasing fairness and opportunities for producers:

• Farmer Fairness Portal

• Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards Rule 

• Strengthening Organic Enforcement

• Organic Origin of Livestock Rule

• Poultry Transparency Rule

• Cattle Contracts Library Pilot Program

• Agricultural Competition: A Plan in Support of Fair and 

Competitive Markets

• Fair Competition and Innovation in Seeds

• Transportation Advocacy

• Inclusive Competition and Market Integrity Proposed Rule

• “Product of USA” Label

• Fertilizer Production Expansion Program

Innovative New 

Purchases

Investing in local and regional supply chains through USDA purchases:

• Local Food Purchase Assistance Program

• Local Food for Schools Program

• Patrick Leahy Farm to School Program

Access to 

Healthy Food

Helping families and individuals access affordable, 

healthy foods: 

• Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program

• WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program 

• Farmers Markets Accepting SNAP Benefits

• Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program 

• Healthy Food Financing Initiative

USDA is an equal opportunity employer and provider. 

Scan to learn more about each 

of the listed programs.