Project Grant 20227002037595

The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) awarded a $550,000 Project Grant under the Food Safety Outreach Program (CFDA 10.328) to the Georgia Tech Research Corporation to develop and deliver food safety and business development training. The grant will fund a collaborative effort between Georgia Tech, Fort Valley State University, and Puerto Rico Manufacturing Extension, Inc. to provide low-cost, targeted training to underserved small food producers in Georgia and Puerto Rico from September 1, 2022 through August 31, 2025.

The grantee will develop curriculum covering food safety topics including the Food Safety Modernization Act and supplemental business development topics. Training will be deployed onsite and virtually in English and Spanish to small food processors. The grant will also fund train-the-trainer classes to build local capacity in Georgia and Puerto Rico, with the trained individuals continuing training delivery beyond the grant period. Effectiveness will be evaluated and impacts assessed for entrepreneurial and train-the-trainer participants. Puerto Rico Manufacturing Extension, Inc. will receive a subaward to support training deployment in Puerto Rico.