MDARD Seeks Proposals for Food Safety Education and Training Grants

Proposals due June 16, 2026 at 5 p.m.

LANSING, Mich.- The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) today announced that it will accept proposals for Food Safety Education Fund (FSEF) grants now through Tuesday, June 16 at 5 p.m. ET.

"Protecting Michigan's food supply is one of MDARD's top priorities," said MDARD Director Tim Boring. "Grants from the Food Safety Education Fund help deliver training that local governments and food service employees depend on to keep Michiganders and their families safe."

Grants from the FSEF are competitive and designed to provide food safety training and education to consumers, food service establishment employees and staff from state and local government agencies who enforce the Michigan Food Law of 2000. Entities eligible to receive grants include Michigan governmental and non-profit organizations that provide such training and education. Producers, manufacturing processors, marketers and growers are not eligible for this grant opportunity.

Proposals with sub-grantees will be considered. Proposals should not include funding for required routine training such as Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) or manager certification such as ServSafe.

MDARD will score and select proposals based on the following criteria:

• Project Purpose and Summary
• Impact and Audience Reach
• Expected Measurable Outcomes
• Work Plan
• Budget
• Lasting Impacts

An electronic copy of the Request for Proposals, including all FSEF grant criteria and the new application form, is available on MDARD's website

Applicants must submit grant applications electronically by emailing them to MDARD's FSEF email inbox. Electronic submissions are due no later than 5 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, and will be confirmed via email receipt. If you have questions or if you do not receive a confirmation email within five business days of submission, please email Shane Green.

A Joint Evaluation Committee comprised of food safety experts will convene in summer 2026 to review and make recommendations to MDARD on the proposals to be awarded. MDARD intends to announce grant awards in September 2026 for projects that run from October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027. MDARD will consider multi-year proposals on an individual basis, contingent on future year funding.

The FSEF was established under Section 4117 of the Michigan Food Law of 2000, as amended, and is funded through assessments of $3 to $5 from each Michigan food establishment license.

For more information about food and agriculture funding opportunities, visit MDARD's grants web page.

###