NEWS RELEASE
MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
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Today, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Director Tim Boring announced the department is requesting proposals for food safety education and training under the Food Safety Education Fund grant program. Up to $365,000 is available as part of this grant cycle which runs from October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025.
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, manufacturing 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 or manager certification like ServSafe.
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.
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 must be sent to: [email protected]. Electronic submissions are due no later than 5 p.m. on Monday, June 24, 2024, and will be confirmed via email receipt. If you have not received a confirmation email within five business days of submission, please email [email protected].
Hard copy submissions must be postmarked no later than Tuesday, June 18, 2024 (please allow ample time for delivery). Hard copies should be mailed to:
Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
Bureau of Food Safety and Animal Health Attn: Lori Yelton
P.O. Box 30017
Lansing, Michigan 48909
Advisory committees will convene in July and August 2024 to review, score, rank proposals, and make funding recommendations to MDARD. Grant awards will be announced in September 2024 for projects that run from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025. Multi-year proposals will be considered on an individual basis, contingent on future year funding.
An electronic copy of the Request for Proposals, including grant criteria, and a cover page to submit with each application are available on MDARD’s website at www.michigan.gov/mdard.
For more information, contact Lori Yelton, Food Safety Education Fund grant manager, at [email protected] or 517-420-3249.
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