Food Safety Outreach Program-Community Outreach Projects
🏛 National Institute of Food and Agriculture-eRA (USDA-NIFA-ERA)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 15, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations working on food safety training, education, and outreach. Eligible applicants include state cooperative extension services, federal/state/local/tribal agencies, nonprofit community-based organizations, farm owner/operator groups with food safety expertise, institutions of higher education, and collaborations of eligible entities.
The program funds community outreach projects that expand food safety training and coordination. Projects should demonstrate commitment to public health and expertise in food safety administration. Organizations must focus on farmers, small food processors, or small merchant wholesalers.
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Program description
In FY 2026, FSOP, under Assistance Listing 10.328, will maintain and continue to expand training, education, outreach, and coordination by soliciting new Community Outreach Projects.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative (typically 15-20 pages)
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Organizational capacity documentation
- Letters of support/commitment from partners
- Evidence of food safety expertise
Program contact
- 👤 National Institute of Food and Agriculture-eRA
- 📧 grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov
- 📞 202-445-5402
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 10.328 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$2,324,692
-
$1,809,246
-
$1,798,000
-
$1,797,993
-
$1,226,430
-
$792,797
-
$791,420
-
$791,066
-
$770,928
-
$650,000
Top States by Funding
- FL 6 awards $5.2M
- VT 7 awards $4.7M
- OR 4 awards $3.4M
- IA 3 awards $2.9M
- CA 7 awards $2.8M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 10.328). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $9,903,581 | |
| 2025 | $8,838,118 | |
| 2026 est. | $9,556,700 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply?
State extension services, government agencies, nonprofits, farm organizations, colleges/universities, and collaborations of these entities can apply. All applicants must show commitment to public health and food safety expertise.
What is the funding range?
Awards typically range from $80,000 to $300,000 per project. The total program funding pool is $3.5 million.
What activities are supported?
The program funds training, education, outreach, and coordination projects. Work with farmers, small food processors, and produce wholesalers is prioritized.
Is cost sharing required?
No cost sharing is required for this grant. This is a significant advantage for budget planning.
When is the deadline?
The deadline is July 20, 2026. Applications must be submitted by end of business on that date.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Connect your project directly to food safety outcomes. Show how training will reduce foodborne illness or improve compliance.
- Emphasize partnerships and reach. Projects serving multiple counties or regions are more competitive than single-location initiatives.
- Include letters of support from farm organizations or food processors. Real endorsements from your target audience strengthen applications significantly.
- Budget clearly for personnel and outreach materials. Ensure all costs align directly with your project timeline and deliverables.
- Use the NIFA application portal early. Technical issues are common near deadline, so submit several days in advance.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Failing to demonstrate expertise in food safety administration or commitment to public health. Proposing activities that don't directly serve farmers, small processors, or wholesalers. Submitting vague outcome metrics without measurable participation or behavior change targets.
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