The Food and Nutrition Service?s Office of Food Safety provides funding to support its mission of increasing awareness, visibility, and impact of food safety on USDA nutrition assistance programs.

There are five active grants funded.

1.

The U.S.

Department of Agriculture,

credit: Flickr Daniellehelm

Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) established a Center of Excellence for School Food Safety Research to provide science-based support to improve the safety of foods provided through the FNS nutrition assistance programs, particularly those served in schools and child care settings.

The Center provides an interdisciplinary and timely approach to applied food safety research needs related to FNS nutrition assistance programs, particularly the child nutrition programs, and develop written communications to convey research results to a variety of audiences, including scientists, policy makers, educators, and practitioners.

(competitive)
2.

The National Food Service Management Institute, an institute established by Congress to support Child Nutrition Programs, provides support to the FNS Office of Food Safety for developing food safety education programs and materials and conducting applied research related to food safety education.

(non-competitive)
3.

The National Environmental Health Association supports and promotes the use of the Food-Safe Schools Action Guide and maintains the online peer-reviewed school food safety resource list.

(non-competitive)
4.

The Institute of Medicine Food Forum provides opportunities for science and technology leaders in the food industry, government, consumer groups, and academicians to identify and discuss contemporary issues related to nutrition, food science, food safety, and food technology.

Outcomes of the Food Forum include meetings and workshops, summaries or proceedings of meetings and workshops, and independent cooperative projects.

(non-competitive)
5.

The Institute of Medicine Food Allergies: Global Burden, Causes, Treatment, Prevention, and Public Policy consensus study examines critical issues related for food allergy, including the prevalence and severity of food allergies and their impact on affected individuals, families, and communities.

The study will further the body of knowledge on emerging food allergy issues, including the impact on child nutrition.

(non-competitive).

Selected Recipients for this Program

Fiscal Year 2015: ICN ? Revised Food Safety in Schools training launched. ? Conducted task force and developed series of resources on preparing for a water emergency. ? Printing and distribution of food safety resources, including new Food-Safe Schools Action Guide. ? Conducted Food Safety in Child Care advisory council and task force meeting to determine priorities for food safety resources in child care centers and homes. ? Research from the Center of Excellence for Research in Child Nutrition Programs (COE) translated into training resources. ? Launched new fact sheets and posters on safe cooling methods. ? Conducted Produce Safety University for Small Districts. ? Conducted Food Defense Tabletop Exercises in Texas and Florida. Center of Excellence ? Completed phase II of an observational study on food safety practices in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). ? Completed research to determine current practices and challenges associated with managing food allergies in schools, and the incidence and nature of recent food allergy reactions in schools. ? Initiated employee behavior change research to implement training programs that overcome real, or perceived, barriers to the application of food safety practices in school foodservice operations. ? Initiated research to examine the relationship between SFSP and field trip food safety practices and microbial growth in food. ? Initiated a study that to evaluate the impact of safe food practices on the reduction of wasted food. ? Initiated an assessment of the status of the food safety regulatory framework in child care operations across the nation. ? Administered surveys related to Produce Safety University, an immersion course offered through USDA FNS Office of Food Safety ? Delivered three food science immersion courses for school nutrition professionals. The course enhanced school nutrition professionals? knowledge of the core scientific principles that support a school food safety program based on HACCP principles. ? Presented at various National and State agency conferences and meetings including the annual meeting of the School Nutrition Association. ? Collaborated with the Institute of Child Nutrition to develop educational resources based on cooling practices research and the results of the comprehensive analysis of school food safety programs based on HACCP principles. Publications ? Sneed, J., and Vaterlaus Patten, E. 2015. Current Practices for Providing School Field Trip Meals: Perspectives of School Nutrition Managers and Teachers. Journal of Child Nutrition and Management. 39(1) NEHA ? Supported presentations on the Food Safe Schools Action Guide content at the 2015 NEHA Annual Education Conference. ? Promoted and distributed food safe schools resources at NEHA training sessions and workshops. ? Maintained the subscription Website service for the National Coalition for Food-Safe Schools (.org and .com domains). • Hosted a round-table discussion forum at the 2015 NEHA AEC to identify challenges and needs of regulatory food safety professionals in the school setting. NAS Food Allergy Study ? Received 150 nominations for suggested committee members with expertise in a variety of relevant disciplines were received from all sponsors and other stakeholders; a slate of 13 members was approved ? The committee held its first meeting and public meeting, which included presentations from the Office of Food Safety ? Project staff carried out a broad literature search to identify relevant scientific publications which were provided to the committee NAS Food Forum Brought together nutrition, communication, and toxicology perspectives ? Led workshop on food literacy to help explain how communications and marketing of food products impact consumer knowledge and behavior. Represents project accomplishments achieved from money awarded in a mixture of fiscal years. Fiscal Year 2016: ICN ? Food Safety Training for Child Nutrition Professionals, including Food Safety in Schools, Norovirus Training, Food Allergies in Schools and Food Safety Basics. ? Printing and distribution of food safety resources. ? Research from the Center of Excellence for Research in Child Nutrition Programs (COE) translated into training resources. ? Translated Food Safety in Schools into Spanish, and presented an in-person pilot class completely in Spanish at the School Nutrition Association Annual National Conference. ? Developed and piloted an interactive Mock Health Inspection training for school nutrition professionals. ? Developed and finalized a Food Safety in Child Care Homes print resource. ? Conducted Produce Safety University for Small Districts ? Conducted Food Defense Tabletop Exercises Center of Excellence ? Initiate new research in the following areas: Reducing food waste through safe food practices; developing best practices for safe cooling of foods; Identifying operational characteristics for childcare providers to improve food safety resources; and developing a dynamic research-based information system about food safety topics applicable to child nutrition operations. ? Conclude research for projects initiated during previous grant years. Activities include data collection and analyses; preparation of written reports and publications; and collaboration with the Institute of Child Nutrition to develop educational resources based on research. ? Deliver Serving Up Science: The Path to Safe Food in Schools. ? Provide research resources to support FNS projects and provide other technical assistance as needed. ? Analyze and summarize evaluations for Produce Safety University courses and conduct 6-month evaluations. ? Present research at various National and State agency conferences and meetings. NEHA ?Support presentations on the Food Safe Schools Action Guide content at the 2016 NEHA Annual Education Conference. ?Promote and distribute the Food Safe Schools Action Guide at NEHA training sessions and workshops. ?Maintained the subscription Website service for the Office of Food Safety food safe schools (.org and .com domains). ? Hosted a focus group at the 2016 NEHA AEC to identify best practices of regulatory food safety professionals and school working together. NAS Food Allergy Study ?Prepared draft comprehensive report of findings from committee meetings ?Publish and deliver final report to Office of Food Safety, anticipated June 2016 NAS Food Forum ? Held meeting to provide a foundation for understanding antibiotic resistance globally; explore the link between antibiotic use in food production and antibiotic resistance, including pathways for antibiotics to enter the food supply, mechanisms and evidence of antibiotic resistance transfer between animals and humans, and public health impacts; and discuss the prevention of antibiotic resistance through stewardship and alternative approaches. Fiscal Year 2017: ICN ? Provide food safety training to child nutrition professionals based on their needs, including Food Safety in Schools, Norovirus Training, Food Allergies in Schools and Food Safety Basics. ? Continue to provide printing and distribution of food safety resources. ? Deliver food safety training using a train-the-trainer model to leverage resources and help school districts train local staff. ? Implement a marketing and promotion plan to increase awareness of ICN food safety training resources. Center of Excellence ? Conclude research for projects initiated during previous grant years. Activities include data collection and analyses; preparation of written reports and publications; and collaboration with the Institute of Child Nutrition to develop educational resources based on research. ? Deliver Serving Up Science: The Path to Safe Food in Schools. ? Provide research resources to support FNS projects and provide other technical assistance as needed. ? Analyze and summarize evaluations for Produce Safety University courses and conduct 6-month evaluations. ? Present research at various National and State agency conferences and meetings.

Uses and Use Restrictions

Funding is provided to a university or organization to achieve the objectives of the grant.

The university or organization may award sub-grants to obtain the expertise and skills needed to accomplish the objectives of the Center.

Guidance on restrictions are set forth in the grant document.

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Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Assistance may be used to conduct research or perform other tasks to benefit FNS nutrition assistance programs in the area of food safety.

Beneficiary Eligibility

FNS nutrition assistance program decision makers, FNS nutrition assistance program providers, and FNS nutrition assistance program recipients.

Credentials/Documentation

Not currently applicable. Further direction will be available from Program Office. 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Preapplication coordination is not applicable.

Environmental impact information is not required for this program.

This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.

12372.

Application Procedures

2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Not currently applicable.

Award Procedures

All applications that meet the published deadline for submission will be screened for completeness and conformity to the requirements as announced in the RFA package. Grants are awarded by a competitive process via a technical review panel composed of FNS and other Federal staff that will meet to determine the technical merit of each grant application, provide a numerical score, and make recommendations to selecting officials. Non-solicited proposals may also be considered as funding allows. Office of Food Safety is granted two-year funding appropriations.

Deadlines

Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.

Authorization

Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010, 2010, Public Law 110-80; Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, Section 6(a)(3), 42 U.S.C 1755(a)(3); National Agriculture Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977, Section 1472(b), 7 U.S.C 3318(b).

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

From 30 to 60 days. There are presently no open requests for applications.

Appeals

From 30 to 60 days.

Renewals

Not Applicable.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Statutory formulas are not applicable to this program. This program has no matching requirements. MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Not currently applicable. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Not currently applicable.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

The quarterly and final programmatic progress and financial reports are required to be submitted by the grantee in accordance with the grant terms and conditions.

No cash reports are required.

Quarterly progress reports are required.

Quarterly budget reports are required.

The grantee will work closely with the Agency on performance progress.

Audits

Not Applicable.

Records

The grantee must maintain records in accordance with the Grant Agreement. Such records must be retained for a period of 3 years after the date of submission of the final report for the fiscal year to which the records pertain, except that if audit findings have not been resolved, the records shall be retained beyond the 3-year period as long as required for the resolution of the issues raised by the audit.

Financial Information

Account Identification

12-3539-0-1-605.

Obigations

(Cooperative Agreements) FY 15 $400,000; FY 16 est $300,000; and FY 17 est $300,000 - Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN). Previous projections combined all obligations. Obligations were separated out in FY16 for CFDA reporting. (Cooperative Agreements (Discretionary Grants)) FY 15 $800,000; FY 16 est $800,000; and FY 17 est $800,000 - Center of Excellence for Food Safety Research in Child Nutrition Programs. New Award Cycle for FY18 performance. (Project Grants (Discretionary)) FY 15 $15,000; FY 16 est $0; and FY 17 est $0 - National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine Food Allergy Study. (Project Grants (Discretionary)) FY 15 $100,000; FY 16 est $0; and FY 17 Estimate Not Available(Exp: In Review) - National Environmental Health Association (NEHA). (Project Grants (Discretionary)) FY 15 $15,000; FY 16 est $15,000; and FY 17 Estimate Not Available(Exp: Proposal under Review) - National Academy of Sciences Food Forum.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

No Data Available.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

7 CFR Part 3015, 7 CFR Part 3016, 7 CFR Part 3017, 7 CFR Part 3018, 7 CFR Part 3019, 7 CFR Part 3021, and 7 CFR Part 3052.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None.

Headquarters Office

Amy Schober 3101 Park Center Drive, Alexandria, Virginia 22305 Email: amy.schober@fns.usda.gov Phone: 7036054507

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Not Applicable.