Maine Produce Safety Improvement Grants (MPSIG) help specialty crop growers i.e, growers of fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture but excluding commodity crops) to:

• Implement on-farm food safety practices;
• Transition to compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule (PSR);
• Meet market demands for on-farm food safety.

Eligibility:

Proposed projects are restricted to improving the food safety of specialty crops. We will be awarding grants up to $10,000 to 14 farms. Prior awardees are not eligible.

Allowed Project Investments:
(Each individual supply item must be less than $5,000)

• Plastic Harvest Totes
• Stainless Steel Handwashing Sinks
• Small Greens Bubblers 
• Salad Spinners
• Stainless Steel Tables and Carts

Important Dates:

• November 15, 2024
  Application available.
• December 20, 2024
  Application deadline.
• December 20, 2024 – January 20, 2025
  Grant Review Process
• Monday, March 17, 24, 31 and April 7, 2025 from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. (Virtual Course)
  Grant recipient participation in required Produce Safety Alliance Course with Robson Machado.
• April 14, 2025
  For grant recipients – SOP’s for new project investments due.

Need more information? Connect with Anna Mueller, [email protected], (207) 568-6017.