Appalachia Regional Food Business Center

USDA Terminates Regional Food Business Center Programming

Operations to cease on September 15th, 2025.

We are disappointed to receive notice that the US Department of Agriculture has decided to terminate the Regional Food Business Center program. The Appalachia Regional Food Business Center, led by Rural Action and a large network of partners will conclude on September 15th, 2025. We are proud of the work that our team has accomplished and their dedication to farms and food businesses across the Appalachian region and beyond.

After September 15th and until spring of 2026, we’ll turn our attention to our 56 Business Builder Subaward recipients to assist them in making their projects as impactful as possible. We’re grateful that we’re able to support them and can’t wait to share more information about how their projects will positively impact the Appalachia food system.

We are so grateful for the passion and commitment to this work demonstrated by our Partners, the incredible local farms and food businesses throughout the region, and the dedicated staff at USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service, who have been so supportive of our work.

With gratitude,
The Appalachia Regional Food Business Center team

Our Region

The Appalachia Regional Food Business Center serves the following states and counties. Full States: Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee
Partial States: Pennsylvania, (Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Butler, Cambria, Clarion, Crawford, Erie, Fayette, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Indiana, Jefferson, Lawrence, Mercer, Somerset, Venango, Washington, & Westmoreland Counties) Virginia (Alleghany, Bath, Bland, Botetourt , Buchanan, Carroll, Craig, Dickenson, Floyd, Giles, Grayson, Henry, Highland, Lee, Montgomery, Patrick, Pulaski, Rockbridge, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise & Wythe Counties), Maryland (Allegany, Garrett & Washington Counties)

For other Food Business Center geographies, visit the USDA Regional Food Business Center Program website.

Our Promise

The Appalachia Regional Food Business Center will support a more resilient, diverse, and competitive food system throughout all of Appalachia. Our Center will support producers by providing localized assistance to access local and regional supply chains, provide the technical assistance needed to access new markets, and assist small- and mid-sized producers in overcoming barriers to market access.

With a long-standing commitment to the farms and food businesses in the region, the Appalachia Regional Food Business Center will work to foster a more robust, economically diverse, and sustainable food economy that benefits business owners, stakeholders, and consumers throughout the entire region.

Meet Our Partners

Learn More