Local Food System Infrastructure Grant (LFSI)

WSDA competitive grant supporting local food supply chains and market access for Washington farms, ranches, food processors, and food distributors. Funds equipment and facilities for post-harvest handling/processing (including slaughter), storage/distribution, and marketing/retail of Washington-grown, -caught, and -raised foods. The 2025 round offered two categories: 'Equipment Plus' (up to $75,000) and 'Large Project' (up to $750,000). Not currently accepting applications; WSDA anticipates the next round to open Summer/Fall 2027.

• Small and mid-size owner-operated farms or ranches in Washington that sell some portion of their product in Washington.

• Farms and ranches must have less than $1 million in annual gross cash farm income in 2024.

• A farm is owner-operated when the majority of the farm business is owned by the people involved in its day-to-day on-farm operation.

• Small and mid-size food businesses whose primary function is to aggregate, process, manufacture, distribute, store, or sell Washington grown, caught, or raised foods in Washington.

• Food businesses must have fewer than 100 employees, counting parent company and subsidiaries.

• Non-profit, tribal, or local government entities that directly enable small and mid-size owner-operated farms, ranches, or food businesses to sell Washington foods to people in Washington.

• Applicants must be an existing farm, business, or nonprofit licensed to do business in Washington with a UBI number.

• The applicant must be a single entity that signs the grant agreement; sub-awards and pass-through funding are not allowed.

• No matching funds are required.

Award. Two categories in the most recent (2025) round. Equipment Plus: minimum of $15,000, up to $75,000 maximum. Large Project: minimum of $200,000, up to $750,000 maximum. 2025 round funding: Equipment Plus Timeline A $2,800,000 (roughly 50 projects) and Timeline B $1,200,000 (roughly 20 projects); Large Project $2,250,000 (roughly 4 projects).

Match. There is no requirement for matching funds.

Payment. Reimbursement grant. Recipients pay project costs with their own funds and are paid back after goods/services have been received. Reimbursement requests can take up to 30 days to be paid.

Retention. Equipment Plus grant purchases must remain in use for the intended purpose for at least 3 years from the end date of the grant agreement. Large Project grant purchases must remain in use for at least 6 years from the end date of the grant agreement.

Reporting and records. Grant recipients must complete Quarterly Progress Reports and a Final Impact Report, and are requested to fill out a Project Outcomes Report one year after the grant agreement ends. Records must be retained for at least six years following the date of final payment. WSDA may conduct a site visit at any time during the grant agreement period and up to three years after the end of the grant.

All figures above are from the 2025 guidelines and may change for the next round.

WSDA is not currently accepting applications for the Local Food System Infrastructure Grant. The next round is anticipated to open in Summer/Fall 2027. Sign up for the Local Food System Infrastructure newsletter for round announcements: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WAAGR/subscriber/new?topic_id=WAAGR_86

2025 round (most recent). Equipment Plus applications closed October 28, 2025 (4 p.m. PST). Large Project applications were staged: Concept Proposals closed September 25, 2025 (4 p.m. PST), and invited Full Applications closed December 30, 2025 (4 p.m. PST).

Questions. Email the grant administrator.

• Grant Guidelines - Equipment Plus (2025)

• Grant Guidelines - Large Projects (2025)

• Past Grant Awards

• Grantee Resources