Southwest Regional Food Business Center Awards $1.5 Million in Business Builder Grants

The University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Southwest Regional Food Business Center announced $1.5 million in Business Builder Award grants to 73 small and mid-sized farm and food businesses across the Southwest region. The Business Builder Award Program is designed to build capacity for food producers and processors by supporting infrastructure, innovation and market access. Funded projects include equipment for egg processing, grain milling, meat processing, and marketing and packing supplies for small food businesses to expand into new markets. A complete list of funded projects is available online. USDA has terminated the national Regional Food Business Center program, effective September 15, 2025.