U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has announced the termination of the Regional Food Business Centers Program, a USDA initiative launched during the pandemic under the Biden Administration. The decision marks a major shift in how the agency plans to support regional food systems moving forward.
Program Faced Operational and Funding Challenges
The program, administered through the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), was originally designed to help farmers and food businesses improve supply chain resilience, open new markets, and enhance regional competitiveness. However, only 8 of the 12 centers awarded under the program had issued or selected Business Builder grants as of the time of shutdown.
In a statement, Secretary Rollins criticized the structure and sustainability of the initiative:
“The Biden Administration created multiple, massive programs without any long-term way to finance them. This is not sustainable for farmers who rely on these programs, and it flies in the face of Congressional intent.”
Commitments Will Be Honored Through 2026
Despite the shutdown, USDA will honor all existing commitments—more than 450 grants to farms and food businesses—ensuring ongoing projects and planning are not disrupted. Centers that have already announced or executed subawards may continue managing their grants through May 2026.
However, several centers will be fully terminated, including:
- Great Lakes Midwest Center
- Delta Region Center
- Islands and Remote Areas Center
- Southeast Rural Food Business Center
Remaining funds from the program will be repurposed “to better support American agriculture,” according to USDA’s press release.
Dale Sandlin reporting for Southeast AgNet.