The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the discontinuation of the Regional Food Business Centers (RFBC) program, a pandemic-era initiative. The program, funded by one-time congressional allocations, aimed to support regional food systems but has faced criticism for its structure and reliance on temporary funding.
While the program is ending, the USDA will honour its commitments to food businesses and farmers, particularly through the Business Builder subaward initiative. Eight of the 12 centres involved in the program have issued or selected grants under this subaward, but the process has been slow due to the complexities of forming partnerships and planning.
For those centres that have issued subawards, including commitments made to Business Builder grants, the USDA will allow them to continue managing these obligations until May 2026. However, centres that failed to issue grants, such as those in the Great Lakes, Southeast, Delta, and Islands and Remote Areas regions, will close. This move is part of a broader strategy by the USDA to streamline its operations and improve resource allocation. Despite the program’s closure, the USDA remains focused on supporting affected farmers and food businesses throughout this transition.