The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is accepting grant applications as part of the Food Safety Outreach Program. The program, which will build upon the national infrastructure of the National Food Safety Training, Education, Extension, Outreach, and Technical Assistance Competitive Grants Program, has an estimated total funding of $9,600,000, with grants of $80,000 – $550,000 available to eligible applicants.

Awardees will 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. Grant applications will be solicited directly from those in local communities to include those from community-based organizations, non-governmental organizations, food hubs, farm cooperatives, extension, and other local groups.

Eligibility requirements include: Cooperative Extension Services for a U.S. state or territory; non-government organizations and/or community-based organizations; 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; federal, state, local, or tribal agencies; an institution of higher education (as defined in Section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)) or a foundation maintained by an institution of higher education; a collaboration of two or more eligible entities.

USDA NIFA is hosting a request for applications (RFA) Technical Assistance Webinar on December 19, 2022 from 3:00-4:00pm ET.

For more information on the application process visit:

• Information on 2023 grants and application process
• Apply for grants

The closing date for applications is Thursday, February 16, 2023