The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (“Department” or “MDAR”) seeks applicants to implement eligible practices that help prevent or reduce food safety risks, promote produce farms’ transition to compliance with the United States Food & Drug Administration (“FDA”) Food Safety Modernization Act (“FSMA”), and meet market demands for on-farm food safety.
Donor Name: Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources
State: Massachusetts
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 05/26/2023
Size of the Grant: Up to $50,000
Grant Duration: 1 year
Details:
The Agricultural Food Safety Improvement Program (AFSIP) is a reimbursement grant program that supports produce and aquaculture operations that are looking to improve their food safety practices that work towards minimizing the risks of microbial contamination and food-borne illnesses while increasing market access.
Funding Information
- Maximum funding per Applicant is 80% of total project costs up to $50,000.
- Grant Period: July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024.
Eligible Projects
- Produce
- Water systems, delivery, treatment devices, processing, and washing equipment
- Portable restrooms and/or hand washing sinks (mobile or stationary)
- Harvest & storage equipment (bins, totes, bin storage, racks)
- Washing/Packing shed walls, ceilings, lighting fixtures, upgrades
- Drainage systems for coolers and washing & packing areas
- Wildlife fencing
- Pest deterrent
- Refrigeration/Cooling Equipment
- Pesticide storage
- Aquaculture
- Ice machines
- Insulated containers
- Walk-in refrigeration units
- Processing equipment such as tumblers/graders to improve time to temperature control and process efficiency
- Facility upgrades necessary to obtain a Massachusetts Department of Public
- Health/Division of Marine Fisheries Wholesale Dealer Permit
- Refrigerated vehicle.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for consideration under the Agricultural Food Safety Improvement Program applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Applicant must be a produce or aquaculture operation that are principally and substantially engaged in agricultural production for commercial purposes;
- Applicant must own the property upon which the project will be implemented or have a written lease agreement with the owner;
- Are legally recognized entities within the Commonwealth and have the ability to enter a legally binding agreement with the Commonwealth;
- Property must be in active agricultural use and managed as a commercial enterprise by the Applicant for at least the three (3) previous years to the date of the application.
For more information, visit MDAR.
