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USDA Farm Service Agency has launched the Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops (FSCSC) Program, a new cost share program that provides financial assistance for specialty crop operations that incur eligible on-farm food safety program expenses related to obtaining or renewing a food safety certification in calendar years i2022 or 2023. To receive the financial assistance, the following eligibility requirements (among others) are required: have obtained or renewed a 2022 food safety certification that was issued between June 21, 2022, and December 31, 2022; have paid eligible expenses; be a specialty crop operation; and meet the definition of a small business or very small business; and be located in the 50 United States or U.S. territories.
Costs covered by the program include:
- Developing a food safety plan for first-time food safety certification
- Maintaining or updating an existing food safety plan
- Food safety certification (audit) costs
- Microbiological testing for water, soil/amendments, and products
- Food safety training
- Certification upload fees
Learn More: FSC Specialty Crops
Todd Mattos, Program Manager
Northwest Territory
USDA AMS SCP SCI Division
410 North Kings Road, Ste. 118
Nampa, Idaho
Cell: (208) 650-0256
Office (208) 467-6187
Email: todd.mattos@usda.gov
