Idaho Business Builder Grant Recipients
The Business Builder Grant Program was a dynamic funding initiative developed through the USDA’s network of Regional Food Business Centers (RFBCs). In the Northwest and Rocky Mountain (NWRM) region, these grants were designed to empower small- and mid-sized farm and food businesses, helping them scale, enter new markets, and expand their impact.
In 2025, 23 Business Builder grants were awarded to Idaho businesses through the Northwest & Rocky Mountain Regional Food Business Center. Below you can see each business that was awarded and what project is being funded by their grant.
Photo Credit: Blue Wildrye Farm
​Blue Wildrye Farm LLC
Princeton, ID
Blue Wildrye Farm will build a commercial kitchen to produce value-added meat products. This project supports rural job creation, environmental stewardship, and regional food system resilience.
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Photo Credit: Boise River Lamb LLC
Boise River Lamb LLC
Caldwell, ID
This project focuses on expanding the customer base and enhancing customer experience through developing marketing materials, launching a promotional campaign, and improving product packaging and presentation.
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Photo Credit: Carmel Bella Farm
Carmel Bella Farm
Sandpoint, ID
Carmel Bella Farm will purchase a freeze dryer to preserve heirloom tomatoes and produce value-added products. This investment will reduce food waste, diversify offerings, and support other local farms.
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Photo Credit: Cedar Draw Cider LLC
Cedar Draw Cider LLC
Buhl, ID
To meet growing apple yields, Cedar Draw Cider will upgrade its juice extraction process with improved equipment. This expansion enables full utilization of local apples and access to new markets.
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Photo Credit: Fujishin Family Cellars, LLC
Fujishin Family Cellars, LLC
Caldwell, ID
Fujishin Family Cellars will launch a targeted marketing campaign and staff training initiative to raise awareness and demand for Idaho wines, strengthening the regional wine economy.
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Photo Credit: Gem Orchard LLC
Gem Orchard LLC
Emmett, ID
Gem Orchard will invest in improved cold storage infrastructure to expand its capacity for storing fruit and value-added products, supporting business growth and reducing waste.
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Photo Credit: Hen & Hare Microfarm
​Hen & Hare Microfarm
Boise, ID
Hen & Hare Microfarm will launch a Farm Subscription Box featuring value-added products made with surplus from local farms. This project reduces food waste, increases sales for partner farms, and builds stronger regional food connections.
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Photo Credit: House of Creature
House of Creature
Star, ID
House of Creature will invest in production and packaging equipment to expand value-added products made with regional ingredients, promoting sustainable local food systems.
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Photo Credit: Itty Bitty Farms
Itty Bitty Farms
Carey, ID
Itty Bitty Farms will upgrade food safety compliance and equip a commercial kitchen to grow its U-pick and value-added product lines, expanding local food access and sales.
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Photo Credit: Latah County Fairground & Events Center
Latah County Fairground & Events Center
Moscow, ID
The project will replace outdated refrigeration in this commercial kitchen, with three new merchandiser refrigerators and two upright freezers. This upgrade will increase storage for shared kitchen users.
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Photo Credit: Idaho Preferred
Many Rivers LLC (DBA Northern Latitude Foods)
Coeur d'Alene, ID
Northern Latitude Foods will invest in marketing, branding, and R&D to diversify its wild rice offerings and launch new products like wild rice flour. This project will strengthen regional food systems and improve returns by engaging local providers for marketing and implementation.
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Photo Credit: Oxford Packing LLC
Oxford Packing LLC
Downey, ID
Oxford Packing LLC, a USDA-inspected facility serving 40+ ranches, will expand packaging services and offer value-added products like jerky and sausages. The project supports producer growth and adding new market channels.
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Photo Credit: Red Star Ranch, Inc
Red Star Ranch, Inc
Hazelton, ID
Red Star Ranch will build an on-site cold storage unit to replace its current facility located 150 miles away. This upgrade will enhance inventory control, reduce transportation costs, and support regional product aggregation and distribution.
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Photo Credit: Red Wheelbarrow Produce
Red Wheelbarrow Produce
Sandpoint, ID
Red Wheelbarrow Produce will open a daily-access farmstore in the Selle Valley to improve availability of local farm products. This project addresses rural food access gaps beyond the farmers market season and supports small farm viability.
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Photo Credit: Snacktivist Foods
Snacktivist Inc/ Snacktivist Foods
Coeur d'Alene, ID
Snacktivist Foods will co-manufacture a whole grain penne pasta using regenerative regional grains. The pasta will meet school nutrition standards and expand healthy grain options. This project supports co-manufacturing partnerships, regional grain sourcing, and increases whole grain supply for institutional buyers.
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Photo Credit: Snake River Seed Cooperative, Inc
Snake River Seed Cooperative, Inc
Boise, ID
The cooperative will purchase a new delivery vehicle to replace an aging fleet asset, improving logistics, employee safety, and access to regionally adapted seeds across the Intermountain West.
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Photo Credit: Squash Blossom Farm
Squash Blossom Farm
Bellevue, ID
Squash Blossom Farm will expand post-harvest infrastructure to meet demand for local carrots and storage crops. This project strengthens the local food system by shortening supply chains and supporting farm-to-retail connections.
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Photo Credit: Sustainable Meats
Sustainable Meats
Kuna, ID
Sustainable Meats will develop new meat products like jerky and bratwurst using its USDA facility. This project increases marketing opportunities for regional livestock producers and supports a diversified meat economy.
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Photo Credit: Texas Ridge Farms LLC
Texas Ridge Farms LLC
Deary, ID
Texas Ridge Farms provides locally grown, non-GMO bulk animal feed in the Northwest. Funding will support feed bagging infrastructure to serve small and beginning producers. The project increases sourcing from regenerative growers and improves the supply of high-quality feed for producers of all sizes.
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Photo Credit: Triple Slash Beef LLC
Triple Slash Beef LLC
Monteview, ID
Triple Slash Beef will develop outreach materials and campaigns to educate consumers on the benefits of local grass-fed beef. This project aims to increase demand and support small-scale producers through direct market engagement.
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Photo Credit: Two Saints Brewing Company, Inc.
Two Saints Brewing Company, Inc.
St. Maries, ID
​Two Saints Brewing will scale its brewing operation, sourcing more ingredients from local vendors and increasing product availability for nearby retailers.
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Photo Credit: Wing Over Farm
Wing Over Farm
Moscow, ID
Purchase post-harvest equipment to improve egg washing and storage capacity. Increase production efficiency and food safety for pasture-raised eggs. Support a steady supply of eggs to boost local farm store sales.
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