Business Builder Sub-Awards

The Northeast Regional Food Business Center will open the first round of Business Builder applications on Monday, February 24. The Business Builder sub-award program will equip small- and mid-sized farm and food businesses with funding to develop and amplify regional supply chains. In the first funding round, the Center anticipates distributing around $10 million and between 180 and 350 awards. Please reach out to program staff with any questions about the application process.

  • Application Dates: February 24 – April 7
  • Eligible Entities: Farm and food businesses, including aquaculture and wild-caught fisheries, and non-profits with $1M or less in annual revenue or $350,000 or less in revenue are eligible to apply (funding track dependent).
  • Allowable Uses: Post-harvest activities (farm gate/landing to table), including processing, storage and transportation.
  • Unique Entity ID: Applicants must either present a valid Unique Entity ID (UEI) or provide proof that they are in progress of obtaining a UEI at the point of application submission. Explore the Application Checklist for resources on obtaining a UEI.

Funding Tracks

Track 1: Equipment

Track 2: Business Development

Track 3: Product & Market Expansion

Track 1 will back the purchase of special-purpose equipment for post-harvest activities, from processing to market. The minimum award value is $25,000 and the maximum award is $50,000. Farm and food businesses with $350,000 or less in annual revenue are eligible to apply.

Track 2 will support business financial acumen and industry knowledge. The minimum award value is $15,000 and the maximum award is $25,000. Farm and food businesses with $350,000 or less in annual revenue are eligible to apply.

Track 3 will assist businesses in expansion through new products, broader markets and wider distribution. The minimum award value is $50,000, and the maximum award is $100,000. Farm and food businesses with $1M or less in annual revenue are eligible to apply.

Information Sessions

Monday, February 24 (4:00 p.m. ET): Pre-Recorded Webinar

Monday, March 3 (9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. ET): Link to the session recording

Tuesday, March 11 (10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. ET): Link to the session recording

Wednesday, March 19 (12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. ET): Link to the session recording

Thursday, March 27 (1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. ET): Link to the session recording

Resources

Obtain a Unique Entity ID (UEI)

USDA AMS Regional Food Business Centers

Applicants are required to have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number acquired via SAM.gov. If you do not currently have a UEI, you must start the process on SAM.gov prior to submitting your application. If you need assistance obtaining a Unique Entity Identifier, please refer to the RFA or Application Checklist for resources.

 

The Northeast Regional Food Business Center operates through a cooperative agreement with USDA. As part of this agreement, USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service is substantially involved in the development and progress of project activities. To learn more about the Regional Food Business Center program, in general, please visit: https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/local-regional/rfbcp.

Technical Assistance Directory

Webinar Recordings

Cornell University’s Center for Regional Economic Advancement has launched a directory for producers and food business owners to find and connect with technical assistance providers across the Northeast region. If you represent a technical assistance providing organization and have not registered for the directory, please visit the sign-up form.

The Regional Food Business Center has hosted and will continue to host a number of outreach and informational sessions in coordination with its Business Builder sub-award program and related Center activities. To view past recordings of these webinar sessions, please visit our past webinars page.

How it Works

We provide sub-awards to small- and mid-size farming and food businesses that are seeking support in access to capital, supply chain coordination and other barriers to expansion.

Envisioning a Northeast food system that strengthens communities and economies.

Applications for the first round of funding open on February 24, 2025, and will close on April 7, 2025. Eligibility requirements include:

  • Be a currently operating small or mid-size food or agricultural business
  • Operate within the Northeast region for the duration of the project
  • Be current and in good standing with all taxes
  • Be working toward business expansion, including follow-on investments from other sources in any of the following areas: Value-added opportunities; Diversification of post-harvest business activities; Accessing new markets
  • Propose projects focused on regional needs identified as Center priorities
  • Produce, process or add value via manufacturing processes to regionally sourced foods

CENTER OBJECTIVES

Coordinating a Regional Network

Coordinate a regional network of Northeast food system partners and connect with other Regional Food Business Centers nationwide.

Building Capacity

Increase the amount and variety of regionally grown products and food businesses through technical assistance and capacity building.

Strengthening Regional Supply Chains

Increase the capacity of regional supply chains to identify, procure, aggregate, market and distribute products to major Northeast markets.

Supporting Long-Term Sustainability

Build sustainability into Regional Food Business Center activities to ensure continued growth and resiliency.