general interest
Now Open: Request for Partnership for Technical Assistance to support Alaska’s Food and Farm Businesses!
Blog by Rachel Lord, Policy and Advocacy Director
Over the past year, we’ve been developing the framework for Alaska’s Regional Food Business Center – a USDA program across the nation to support and strengthen our small and mid-size food and farm businesses for increased food security. The three pillars of the RFBC are Technical Assistance, Capacity Building grants, and Coordination as regional hubs.
AFPC just released a Request for Partnerships (RFP) to solicit applications from organizations or individuals to become Technical Assistance providers through Alaska’s Regional Food Business Center. This is an opportunity for partners to use their expertise to support Alaska’s food and farm businesses. Applications for the program are being accepted through November 29, 2024.
Our TA Program emphasizes supporting businesses in the middle of the food supply chain—specifically, those involved in processing, aggregation, and distribution.
The RFP outlines several key priorities for potential Technical Assistance providers to consider, including:
- How to develop or maintain a direct-to-consumer enterprise
- Accessing institutional consumers
- Using new strategies to improve local/regional food processing, distribution, aggregation, or storage
- Value chain coordination
- Market development
- Navigating and managing financial resources from third parties
- Business development, including planning, financial literacy, legal and regulatory awareness, succession planning, and recordkeeping
The RFBC program nationwide is particularly interested in projects that serve underinvested communities and demonstrate a deep understanding of their specific needs and challenges. This emphasis on equity and inclusion is central to AFPC’s mission of creating a more just and accessible food system for all Alaskans.
TA project proposals can range from $25,000 to $100,000 over a one-year period, with the potential for extension with additional funds for up to three years.
Want to learn more?
- Read through the RFP – it is full of more details about the program
- Sign up for our informational webinar on October 28 from 10-11 am, focused on the TA RFP. This will be recorded and available afterward!
- Join one of our weekly Friday ‘Office Hours’ Zoom between 10-11 am. You can sign up here for the Zoom link.
Finally, we are hoping to spread the word far and wide about this opportunity – here is a flier you can share with your friends and colleagues.
If you are a farm or food business, stay tuned for our capacity-building grants coming in early 2025. If you are looking for technical assistance, also reach out and let us know! We will make sure to keep you updated and share your needs with interested and successful RFBC Technical Assistance providers.
