U.S. Department of Agriculture: Food Safety Outreach Competitive Grant Program

The Food Safety Outreach Competitive Grant Program (FSOP) seeks applications to develop and implement food safety training, education, extension, outreach, and technical assistance projects that address the needs of owners and operators of small to mid-sized farms, beginning farmers, socially-disadvantaged farmers, small processors, or small fresh fruit and vegetable merchant wholesalers.

In 2018, FSOP maintained the national infrastructure by reestablishing Regional Centers in the South, West, North Central, and Northeast, identifying a lead Regional Center, and continuing to support Pilot and Community Outreach Projects with a focus on delivery of customized training to very specific target audiences. FSOP will maintain focus on delivery of customized training to members of the target audiences by continuing to solicit Community Outreach Projects and Collaborative Education and Training Projects. New projects will focus on, but are not limited to, providing on farm or on-site training and/or technical assistance that addresses knowledge and resource gaps for the target audiences in the areas of pre- and post-harvest water testing and sampling, soil amendments, developing supply chain programs, and/or developing food safety plans. The program will also continue to fund projects that develop bilingual and culturally appropriate training.

• Community Outreach Projects will support the development of new food safety education and outreach programs in local communities and expand upon existing food safety education and outreach programs that address the needs of small, specialized audiences whose education needs have not previously been adequately addressed. Projects will focus on building the capacity of local groups to identify very specific needs within their communities, and to implement appropriately customized food safety education and outreach programs to meet those specific needs. Where needed, Regional Centers will provide support and assistance by aiding in the development of mechanisms for reporting program outcomes and providing food safety technical assistance when warranted. Community Outreach Projects will also support the growth and expansion of already existing food safety education and outreach programs currently offered in local communities. In addition, these projects will enable existing programs to reach a broader target audience, provide technical assistance and/or to expand to new audiences.
• Collaborative Education and Training Projects will support the development of multi-county, state-wide or multi-state programs. For example, these projects will support collaborations among states not necessarily located within the same regions, but having common food safety concerns, or addressing common commodities. Potential applicants must have an established track record of working with target audiences, and must be capable of developing and modifying food safety training curricula.
• Collaborative Engagement Supplement will be available for applications submitted under Community Outreach Projects and Collaborative Education and Training Projects that support coordination among 1890s, 1862s, 1994s, Insular Areas, Alaska Native-Serving and Native Hawaiian-Serving (ANNH) and Hispanic-Serving Agricultural Colleges and Universities (HSACU).

Amount: Approximately $7,600,000 is available. Award amounts are dependent upon project type, as follows:

1. Community Outreach Projects: Awards range from $80,000 – $150,000. An additional $150,000 is available for Collaborative Engagement Supplements, for a total budget of $300,000.
2. Collaborative Education and Training Projects: Awards range from $200,000 – $400,000. An additional $150,000 is available for Collaborative Engagement Supplements, for a total budget of $550,000.

Eligibility: Applicants must meet at least one of the following criteria:

1. The Cooperative Extension Service for a U.S. state or territory
2. Non-government organizations and/or community based organizations representing owners and operators of farms, small food processors, or small fruit and vegetable merchant wholesalers that has a commitment to public health and expertise in administering programs that contribute to food safety
3. Federal, State, local, or tribal agencies
4. An institution of higher education or a foundation maintained by an institution of higher education
5. A collaboration of two or more eligible entities

Link: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=314999

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