Harvest & Post-Harvest Handling Food Safety Grant

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) offers the Harvest and Post-Harvest Handling Food Safety Grant to support Vermont-based operations in the produce and meat sectors. This grant aims to fund infrastructure and equipment improvements that enable these operations to meet or maintain compliance with required food safety standards, either federal or state-equivalent. Specifically, the funding targets enhancements that address regulatory inspection feedback and align with state or USDA-sanctioned food safety frameworks for produce and meat processing. The program originates from a one-time legislative appropriation made through Vermont Act 78, using funds designated under the FY 2024 Appropriations Act. VAAFM has allocated approximately $30,000 for this competitive grant cycle, with individual awards ranging from $1,500 to $10,000. There is no matching requirement for applicants, though non-grant funds supporting project completion may be declared. The intended scope includes equipment, construction materials, and services that directly mitigate risks identified through food safety inspections. Eligible applicants include Vermont-based produce farms currently inspected under the FSMA Produce Safety Rule, and meat processing or slaughter operations functioning under USDA, Vermont-equivalent, or Cooperative Interstate Shipment inspection programs. Applicants must be in good standing with the State of Vermont, compliant with all state regulations, and registered within the state. Past recipients of the Agriculture Development Grant (ADG) or businesses previously funded for similarly scoped projects through other VAAFM programs may be deemed less competitive. Applications must be submitted through the WebGrants platform by December 5, 2025, at 1:59 PM. The portal opens on October 30, 2025. Submissions must follow the RFA instructions, and late applications will not be accepted. Successful applicants will be notified by February 2026. The implementation period runs from February through October 2026. Funded projects must be completed within this 8-month window. The submission process requires uploading photos of the targeted infrastructure, detailed workplans, outcome goals, measurable improvements, and quotes for equipment or labor. Projects involving contractors must include letters of commitment. Final reporting is due by November 15, 2026, and must document expenditures, outcomes, and lessons learned. Projects are evaluated on alignment with food safety compliance, project feasibility, budget realism, and organizational readiness. This grant does not fund marketing, agritourism, or activities outside the scope of harvest and post-harvest food safety compliance. Applicants are expected to demonstrate how their proposed upgrades will specifically address a known food safety issue identified during a regulatory inspection, such as water pooling, lack of wash stations, or non-washable surfaces. Only expenses incurred during the grant period are eligible for reimbursement.

Ensure the proposal ties to specific food safety feedback. Include all required quotes and letters. Demonstrate readiness to execute within 8 months.