Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program

Lenders, including banks, credit unions, CDFIs, loan funds, and others, must be approved under the OneRD Guarantee Loan Initiative. To learn more, lenders are encouraged to visit https://www.rd.usda.gov/onerdguarantee for information on how to apply.

To file an application for programs under this initiative, lenders are encouraged to complete the following steps:

1. Review the Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program for eligibility, origination, and application provisions.
2. Required preliminary steps are necessary before completing forms: a) obtain e-Authentication credentials, and b) register on SAM.  For guidance refer to Microsoft 365 Food Supply Chain Guest Access User Guide.  
3. Download the 4281-1 – Application for Loan Guarantee Form, the 4281-8 – Lender’s Agreement Form, and the 4281-16 – Account and User Creation Form. (refer to Microsoft 365 Food Supply Chain Guest Access User Guide for assistance). Important Notice: Potential applicants can view these forms in the Internet Explorer (IE) and Edge browsers. In Chrome or Safari, you must first download the forms to view form content.

Additional instructions, forms, and sample documents related to the Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program are available below:

Forms

• Account and User Creation Form

Guides

• Microsoft 365 Food Supply Chain Guest Access User Guide
• Application Intake Guide
• Feasibility Study Guide

Other Resources

• FSC Variable Interest Rate During Construction Guidance

This PDF version of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) includes a hyperlinked table of contents for ease of use. Additionally, sections and sub-sections have been highlighted throughout this version of the NOFO. 

• Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (Includes Table of Contents)

Eligible borrowers must be directly engaged in the middle of the food supply chain, specifically the aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, or distribution of food. Examples of the types of entities that may qualify for the program include a meat processor or a food hub. As a borrower, your lender will work with you to verify your project qualifies.

Borrowers should talk to their preferred lender to determine if the lender is approved through the OneRD Guarantee Loan Initiative. If not, you may want to encourage them to participate. Otherwise, contact your state office for assistance with identifying a participating lender.

Other Resources

As you start or grow your operation, we encourage you to learn more about the programs and services available through USDA.

• Learn more about grants and opportunities available through the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS).
• Learn more about the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), including compliance with the Federal Meat Inspection Act.
• Learn more about other USDA Rural Development programs.

Guides

• Feasibility Study Guide