Growers who pass food safety audits are eligible for cost-share

Delaware fruit and vegetable growers who receive a passing score on their third-party food safety audits and agricultural water tests are eligible to receive cost-share through the Delaware Department of Agriculture to help cover the expense.

Many wholesale produce buyers require farms to pass third-party food safety audits before they purchase the food to sell in retail establishments such as grocery stores. Audits verify that fruits and vegetables are produced, packed, handled and stored safely to minimize microbial food safety hazards. Testing agricultural water ensures the water used in crop production and post-harvest activities is safe.

The cost-share program will pay 80 percent of the costs of a successful USDA-AMS or commercial third-party audit with a maximum reimbursement of $1,000 per year for each farm. Also, producers can be compensated for 80 percent of the cost associated with annual water testing, with a maximum reimbursement of $500 per year for each farm. If USDA has covered 100 percent of an applicant’s successful audit, the applicant is still eligible to be reimbursed for water testing under the cost-share program.

To be eligible for assistance, Delaware fruit and vegetable growers must have completed and passed a third-party USDA-AMS or other commercial audit before Saturday, July 31, and they must submit receipts for the water tests performed. All paperwork must be submitted to DDA no later than July 31 to be eligible for reimbursement.

Any growers who have not submitted receipts and paperwork from their food safety audit or water test that was successfully completed between Nov. 15, 2018, and Dec. 31, 2020, may still apply for the cost-share program for reimbursement with DDA by submitting all required documents no later than Tuesday, June 1.

To schedule a USDA-AMS food safety audit, email Brenda Clements, food products inspection field supervisor, at Brenda.Clements@delaware.gov.

Funding is provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Delaware growers must fully complete the necessary application and forms, and show verification of successful audit completion, billing and proof of payment. For more information, contact Anna Wicks at 302-698-4583 or Anna.Wicks@delaware.gov.