Apply by January 31, 2025! Learn more and apply here
USDA Department: Farmers.gov
Awards Range: varies based on the certification, view the expenses coverage table here
Match: No
Intended applicants: To be eligible for FSCSC applicants must meet the following:
- Be a specialty crop operation
- Have obtained or renewed a:
- 2024 food safety certification that was issued between June 26, 2024 and December 31, 2024
- 2025 food safety certification issued during calendar year 2025
- Have paid eligible expenses
- Meet the definition of a small business or medium-sized business
- Be located in the United States, District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
Summary: The Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops (FSCSC) Program provides assistance to specialty crop operations that incurred eligible on-farm food safety program expenses in 2024 and 2025. These operations incur significant costs to comply with regulatory requirements and market-driven food safety certification requirements each year with little opportunity to recover increased costs. Specialty crop operations may receive reimbursement for developing an initial food safety plan, maintaining or updating an existing food safety plan, food safety certification, certification upload fees, microbiological testing, and training. Specialty crop operations who obtain their food safety certification through a group model under a food safety management system are eligible for their share of eligible expenses paid by the group, in addition to any eligible expense incurred individually.
