Michigan Dept. of Agriculture and Rural Development seeks proposals for food safety education and training grants

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is seeking proposals for food safety education and training as part of the annual Food Safety Education Fund grant program. The grant cycle for 2023-2024 runs from October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024.

The Food Safety Education Fund was established under the Michigan Food Law of 2000, as amended, Sec. 4117, and is funded through assessments of $3.00 to $5.00 from each Michigan food establishment license.

Up to a maximum of $365,600 is available during the 2023-2024 grant cycle for projects focused on food safety training and education – $242,500 will be available for consumer food safety education; and $114,100 for training employees of food service establishments, and staff from local health departments and MDARD responsible for assuring a safe food supply in Michigan. An electronic copy of the Request for Proposals (RFP), including grant criteria; and a cover page to submit with each application are available on the department’s website at www.michigan.gov/mdard.

Grants from the Food Safety Education Fund are competitive and designed to provide food safety training and education to consumers, food service establishment employees, and staff from state and local government agencies who enforce the Michigan Food Law of 2000. Those eligible to receive grants include Michigan governmental and non-profit organizations and entities. Producers, processors, marketers, and growers are not eligible for this grant opportunity. Proposals with sub-grantees will be considered. Proposals should not include funding for required routine training such as HACCP and manager certification.

Proposals will be scored and selected based on the following criteria:

• Goals/objectives to improve food safety
• Statewide need and audience
• Measurable outcomes
• Partnering with other organizations
• Matching funds
• Opportunities to build upon previously funded projects

Electronic submission of grant proposals is encouraged and should be sent to: MDA-FoodDairyInfo@michigan.gov. Electronic submissions are due no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, July 21, and will be confirmed via email receipt. Anyone who has not received a confirmation email within five business days of submission should email yeltonl@michigan.gov.
Hard copy submissions must be postmarked no later than Monday, July 17, (allow ample time for delivery). Hard copies should be mailed to:

Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
Food and Dairy Division
P.O. Box 30017
Lansing, Michigan 48909

An advisory committee will convene in August 2023 to review, score and rank proposals and make funding recommendations to MDARD. Grant awards will be announced in September 2023. Grants will be awarded for projects that run from October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2024. Multi-year proposals will be considered on an individual basis, contingent on future year funding.

For additional information, contact Lori Yelton, Food Safety Education Fund grant manager, at yeltonl@michigan.gov or 517-420-3249.