National Project to Support and Promote Consistent Implementation of the Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption (U18) | RFA FD 19 023

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA FD 19 023

The National Project to Support and Promote Consistent Implementation of the Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption (U18) is a federal funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Issued as a cooperative agreement, it is built around active collaboration between the award recipient and the FDA rather than a hands-off grant model. The core purpose is to help the FDA strengthen, standardize, and continuously improve a nationwide support system that makes it easier for state and territorial regulators to implement produce safety programs that match the FDA's Produce Safety Rule, formally titled "Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption."

At a practical level, this opportunity is aimed at reducing differences in how produce safety rules are interpreted and applied across jurisdictions. Many produce operations interact with multiple regulators and markets, so inconsistent approaches can create gaps in public health protection and confusion for industry. The project is meant to support state and territorial produce safety regulatory programs as they modernize their methods and align with the Produce Safety Rule, with an emphasis on national uniformity and consistent implementation. The FOA frames success as building a system that not only meets the baseline regulatory standards but also improves overall program effectiveness and strengthens regulatory capabilities over time.

The work described centers on identifying, generating, sharing, and leveraging resources and information that help jurisdictions implement strong produce safety programs. In other words, the recipient would function as a national hub or backbone organization that helps connect the FDA, states, and territories around shared tools, practices, and program supports. That can include developing or curating implementation resources, helping spread best practices, facilitating information exchange, and promoting consistent approaches that match the intent and requirements of the Produce Safety Rule. The emphasis on partnership suggests the project would coordinate closely with FDA priorities and potentially respond to emerging needs, implementation challenges, or opportunities to standardize processes.

The funding mechanism is a discretionary cooperative agreement under CFDA 93.103, falling under the broad activity areas of consumer protection, food and nutrition, and health. The opportunity number is RFA-FD-19-023. The FDA anticipated making a single award, with an award ceiling of $1,500,000, indicating the agency was looking to fund one primary national project rather than multiple smaller efforts. Eligibility was limited to nonprofit organizations, including both 501(c)(3) nonprofits and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status, as long as they are not institutions of higher education.

The announcement was created on May 3, 2019, with an original application closing date of July 10, 2019. Overall, the FOA reflects the FDA's strategy of improving produce safety by ensuring that the regulatory programs responsible for day-to-day implementation in states and territories have consistent guidance, shared resources, and coordinated support, leading to more uniform oversight and stronger protection for consumers.

• The Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration in the consumer protection, food and nutrition, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "National Project to Support and Promote Consistent Implementation of the Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption (U18)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.103.
• This funding opportunity was created on May 03, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 10, 2019. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,500,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.

Apply for RFA FD 19 023

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