USU Extension Collaborates With UDAF to Award More Than $566,000 to Boost Utah Food Systems

Utah State University Extension, in collaboration with the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food and the Southwest Regional Food Business Center, has announced the first round of Business Builder Awards, totaling nearly $570,000, to support 12 food and farm businesses across the state.

The Business Builder Award Program is part of a regional effort to build capacity for food producers and processors by supporting infrastructure, innovation and market access. The grants are made possible through USDA funding administered by the SWRFBC.

Funded projects in Utah include:

• Food safety and cold storage equipment to support year-round local food sales.
• Commercial-scale dehydration and bottling tools for small-scale processors.
• Packaging and labeling equipment to help businesses meet retail market requirements.
• Infrastructure upgrades to expand capacity for local meat processing and grain milling.
• Mobile market support and transportation enhancements to reach underserved communities.

“These awards will directly strengthen Utah’s local food economy by helping businesses scale their operations, access new markets, and build greater resilience in their supply chains,” said Kaylan Burns, program coordinator with USU Extension’s Utah Food and Farm Business Program. “We are proud to support the innovation and dedication of these entrepreneurs who are feeding our communities and investing in Utah-grown products.”

The Business Builder Award Program is one of many initiatives supported by the SWRFBC, a USDA-funded coalition focused on building a more resilient, diverse and competitive food system across Arizona, California, Nevada and Utah.

The center’s work in Utah is led by USU Extension and UDAF, in partnership with a broader network of regional collaborators, including University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nevada, Reno Extension and Local First Arizona.