Deadline: 12-Mar-22
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has announced a call for applications for the Produce Safety Mini-Grant Program to help reimburse Minnesota produce farmers for expenses that improve on-farm food safety systems including water testing for generic E. coli and/or other on-farm food safety improvements.
Funding Information
- The Produce Safety Program has approximately $18,400 to distribute via this mini-grant. Funding comes from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Specialty Crop Block Grant (SCBG).
- This grant provides reimbursement up to $800 per farm. No matching funds from the applicant are required.
What expenses are eligible for reimbursement?
Expenses related to improvements in on-farm food safety systems including water testing for generic E. coli and/or other on-farm food safety improvements. If you have questions about an item that is not listed, please contact the Produce Safety Program.
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Water testing for generic E. coli
- Pre-harvest water: must be a quantitative testing method for generic E. coli. Post harvest-water: can be presence/absence or quantitative testing method for generic E. coli.
- Plastic or paper liners
- Harvest collection tools
- Market containers
- Supplies to build or purchase a portable handwashing station
- Canvas bags
- Sanitizer used for wash water and food contact surfaces
- Consultation fees for developing an on-farm food safety plan
- Wax boxes
- Harvest totes
- Carts and pull wagons
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
-
Be a Minnesota produce farmer that sells one or more of the following crops:
- Leafy greens, apples, berries, cucumbers, green beans, melons, microgreens, mushrooms, onions, peppers, sprouts, summer squash/zucchini, tomatoes, carrots, garlic, herbs.
- Have an eligible expense that occurred between September 30, 2020 – March 12, 2022 or planned expense between March 13, 2022 – August 31, 2022.
For more information, visit MDA.
For more information, visit https://www.mda.state.mn.us/minigrant