By Scout Nelson
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has announced an opportunity for Minnesota produce farmers to bolster their on-farm food safety systems through the 2024 Produce Safety Mini-Grant.
This initiative is designed to financially assist farmers in making necessary improvements to their food safety practices without the need for matching funds.
About $33,600 is set to be distributed among eligible applicants, with each farm receiving up to $800. This grant is open to produce growers within Minnesota who cultivate and sell specific crops such as leafy greens, apples, berries, and tomatoes, among others.
Eligibility for the grant requires that applicants have participated in the MDA Produce Safety Program Grower Questionnaire at least once from 2021 to 2024.
The expenses eligible for reimbursement under this grant must be incurred from October 1, 2023, to August 2, 2024. These expenses include purchasing supplies for a portable handwashing station, water testing for E. coli, and developing an on-farm food safety plan.
Farmers interested in applying for the Produce Safety Mini-Grant can find more information and access the online application on the MDA website.
For those preferring a paper application, requests can be made by contacting the MDA Produce Safety Program at 651-539-3648.
The deadline for applications is set for 11:59 p.m. on March 30, 2024, making it crucial for interested farmers to act promptly to take advantage of this supportive initiative.
Photo Credit -minnesota-department-of-agriculture
Categories: Minnesota, Government & Policy