The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) today announced recipients of the 2023-2024 Food Safety Education Fund (FSEF) grants to be used for food safety training for the food industry and its regulators, and food safety education and outreach for consumers. The FSEF Grant Program provides competitive grants following the state's fiscal year (FY) from October 1 - September 30. For the FY24 grant cycle, additional one-time funds from the Dairy and Food Safety Fund were used to supplement the FY24 FSEF grants awarded to industry.
"Keeping our food safe throughout the food supply chain is an integral part of protecting the public health of Michiganders," said MDARD Director Tim Boring. "These grants will help train Michigan s food and agriculture industry to maintain the safety, nutritional value, and quality of food throughout our ever-evolving food system and will help educate consumers about where their food comes from and how to keep it safe."
The FSEF Grant Program puts funds into the hands of those who have direct contact with restaurant and retail grocery store workers who handle food, and with consumers. The 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 licensing fees paid by Michigan food establishments.
MDARD received a total of 14 grant proposals requesting funds totaling $481,443. Of the 14 proposals, MDARD awarded nine projects totaling $301,475 ($237,475 from the FSEF and $64,000 from the Dairy and Food Safety Fund). Of the $301,475 awarded, $129,979 was directed toward consumer food safety education, and $171,496 directed toward food service employees and regulatory staff from MDARD and local health departments who enforce Michigan s food regulations.
The 2023-2024 Food Safety Education Fund grant recipients are:
- Great Lakes Conference on Food Protection - training and scholarship funds for state and local food safety regulatory staff - $26,000
- Michigan Dairy Industry Conference - milk safety training/education for dairy industry and regulatory staff - $5,000
- Michigan Environmental Health Association - food protection training for environmental health professionals - $33,000
- Michigan Farmers Market Association - 2024 food safety education at Michigan community-driven marketplaces- $63,479
- Michigan Farmers Market Association -comprehensive, accessible licensing and food safety education to Michigan farmers market managers - $32,596
- Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association - development of vomit and diarrhea policies includes $9,000 in-kind match - $22,200
- Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association -food processing - includes $14,500 in-kind match - $30,500
- Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association -multi-media food safety education campaign for consumers, industry, and regulators - includes $32,500 in-kind match-$66,500
- Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association -sesame allergen awareness - $22,200 including a $6,000 in-kind match
Food safety resources for consumers and food industry professionals, including materials developed from Food Safety Education Fund grants in previous years, can be found at www.MichiganFoodSafety.com or www.michigan.gov/foodsafety.
Source : michigan.gov