The Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops Program (FSCSC), administered by the USDA, offers financial support to specialty crop producers to help cover the costs of obtaining food safety certifications. This program aims to improve food safety practices and ensure that specialty crops, such as fruits, vegetables, and nuts, meet established safety standards. The assistance helps producers implement and maintain food safety measures that are crucial for market access and consumer confidence.

Program Features:

• Covered Costs:some text
  • Costs associated with food safety certification audits
  • Fees for certification programs and training
  • Expenses related to obtaining a food safety certification
• Eligible Costs:some text
  • Certification fees
  • Training and education expenses
  • Costs for developing or maintaining a food safety plan
• Benefits:some text
  • Supports specialty crop producers in obtaining and maintaining food safety certifications
  • Enhances market access by ensuring compliance with food safety standards
  • Improves consumer confidence in the safety and quality of specialty crops

Additional Benefits:

• Financial Support: Helps offset the costs of food safety certifications, making it more affordable for producers
• Market Access: Ensures specialty crops meet food safety standards required for market access
• Consumer Confidence: Enhances the safety and quality of specialty crops, improving consumer trust

How to Enroll: To apply for the FSCSC program, specialty crop producers should visit the USDA website or contact their local USDA service center. Applications involve submitting proof of certification-related expenses and other required documentation. More information and specific enrollment procedures are available through USDA resources.

Eligibility: 

To be eligible for FSCSC, an applicant must:

• Have obtained or renewed a:some text
  • 2024 food safety certification that was issued between June 26, 2024, and December 31, 2024; or
  • 2025 food safety certification issued during the 2025 calendar year, and 
• Have paid eligible expenses. Expenses that have been incurred by the applicant, but have not yet been paid, will not be eligible.
• Be a specialty crop operation; and meet the definition of a small business or a medium-sized business.some text
  • A small business has an average annual monetary value of specialty crops the applicant sold during the 3-year period preceding the program year of no more than $500,000.  
  • A medium size business has 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.
• Be located in the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

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