Disburse congressional relief funds to all eligible california seafood processors by utilizing the USDA, agricultural marketing service's FY 2021 seafood processors pandemic response and safety…

This $510,912 block grant from the US Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service under the Pandemic Relief Activities: Farm and Food Worker Relief Grant Program (CFDA 10.181) will fund the California Salmon Council's efforts to disburse relief funds to eligible California seafood processors. The Council will collaborate with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to conduct outreach to commercially permitted seafood processors informing them about the grant program and develop a reimbursement plan. Funds can be used by seafood processors for workplace safety measures, market pivots, facility retrofits, transportation, worker housing, and medical expenses. The Council will contract with a mail house and auditor to assist with application review and compliance with federal rules. Funds must be disbursed to qualified seafood processors by January 24, 2024.

Disburse congressional relief funds to all eligible california seafood processors by utilizing the USDA, agricultural marketing service's FY 2021 seafood processors pandemic response and safety block grant program. The funds can be used for one of six activities including:workplace safety measures; market pivots; retrofitting facilities; transportation; worker housing and medical expenses. The california salmon council is a state agency overseen by the california department of food & agriculture and the california department of fish & wildlife (CDFW). The council will collaborate with the CDFW to access their database of commercially permitted seafood processors to conduct outreach and inform these entities about the program activities. A committee of seafood processor trade group representatives will be formed along with a university of california seafood extension specialist to assist in the outreach as well as develop a reimbursement plan that meets the grant objectives. A professional mail house will be contracted to assist with mailings to all state licensed seafood facilities that meet the program definitions. A contractor will be hired to assist with reviewing applications to provide separation of duties. The council's auditor will help develop standard operating procedures that comply with federal financial and internal control rules. The council's website will be utilized to publicize the grant program and provide downloadable applications. Press releases will be sent to further publicize the pandemic reimbursement program. Payments will be made to duly qualified and approved seafood processors within the two-year grant period.