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This is the chance for eligible fresh fruit and vegetable growers to recover some of their expenses for implementing food safety practices on their farms.
For 2025:
- Application is due between January 1, 2025 and January 1, 2026
- Eligible expenses must be between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2025
Eligible specialty crop operations can apply for Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops (FSCSC)
by working directly with the local Farm Service Agency office. You may also call 877-508-8364 to
speak directly with a USDA employee ready to provide one-on-one assistance. Applications will be
accepted via mail, fax, hand delivery, or electronic means.
How the Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops Program Works
The FSCSC program provides financial assistance for specialty crop operations that incur eligible
on-farm food safety program expenses related to obtaining or renewing a food safety certification in
This program helps offset costs to comply with regulatory requirements and market-driven food
safety certification requirements. FSCSC will cover a percentage of the specialty crop operation’s
cost of obtaining or renewing their certification, as well as a percentage of their related expenses.
Eligibility
Eligibility requirements for FSCSC applicants are outlined below. We recommend you review these
requirements before initiating your FSCSC application.
- Have obtained or renewed: 2025 food safety certification issued during the calendar year.
- Be a specialty crop operation (growing fresh fruits and vegetables); and meet the
definition of a small business or medium size business. - A small (farm) business means an applicant that had an average annual monetary value
of specialty crops the applicant sold during the 3-year period preceding the program
year of not more than $500,000. - A medium (farm) business means an applicant that had an average annual monetary
value of specialty crops the applicant sold during the 3-year period preceding
the program year of at least $500,001 but no more than $1,000,000.
Category of Eligible Expenses Payment Amount of Eligible Costs
Developing a Food Safety Plan for First Time Certification 75% (no maximum)
Maintaining or Updating a Food Safety Plan 75% up to $675
Food Safety Certification 75% up to $2,000
Certification Upload Fees 75% up to $375
Microbiological Testing of Produce 75% up to 5 tests
Microbiological Testing of Soil Amendments 75% up to 5 tests
Microbiological Testing of Water 75% up to 5 tests
Training Expenses 100% up to $500
FSCSC payments are calculated separately for each category of eligible costs based on the
percentages and maximum payment amounts. The FSCSC application and associated forms are
available online at farmers.gov/food-safety.
For food safety resources, information on the Food Safety Modernization Act and third-party audits go
to https://onfarmfoodsafety.rutgers.edu