The Review of the Produce Safety University Cooperative Agreement selects one organization to evaluate the Produce Safety University (PSU) course developed by USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) in collaboration with USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS).
Donor Name: Food and Nutrition Service
State: All States
County: All Counties
Territory: Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa and Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 08/21/2023
Size of the Grant: up to $600,000
Grant Duration: 2 years
Details:
PSU is a week-long train-the-trainer immersion course that is typically held five times each year in the late spring and summer months. The course immerses child nutrition professionals in the fresh produce supply chain. Participants learn to identify and manage food safety risks associated with fresh produce whether it’s purchased from farmers or distributors, received whole or fresh-cut, or grown in a school garden. The curriculum covers all aspects of the fresh produce supply chain from growing and harvesting to storage and preparation through a combination of lecture, laboratory, and field-trip instruction.
FNS seeks to enter into a cooperative agreement for up to $600,000.00 with a selected applicant capable of evaluating the PSU course, the effectiveness of its curriculum, and determining the impact of PSU graduates. Eligible entities include public and state controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; and nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), other than institutions of higher education; all non-profit organizations must include their 501(c)(3) determination letter issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). To be eligible, the entities stated above must demonstrate successful completion of rigorous research through publication of research in peer-reviewed journals.
The target audience for PSU includes local school nutrition program operators and State agency staff involved in administration, training, and technical assistance for school nutrition programs. All States and territories are encouraged to nominate school nutrition professionals to attend. There are typically 150 individuals who attend PSU annually, with increasing interest every year. Approximately 1,800 participants have graduated since the program began in 2010.
Funding Information
Total amount of funding expected to award: FNS anticipates awarding up to $600,000.00, contingent on the availability and apportionment of Federal funds.
Grant Period
Anticipated period of performance: September 2023 to September 2025.
Eligibility Criteria
- Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
For more information, visit Grants.gov.
