Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops (FSCSC) — USDA Farm Service Agency

Reimburses specialty crop growers for the cost of food safety certification (GAP/GHP, GlobalGAP, Harmonized GAP), including training, testing, and the audit fee itself — the cheapest route into wholesale accounts.

Typical award: Reimburses up to 75–100% of certification costs, higher for beginning growers
Deadline: Annual sign-up window through FSA — dates announced each year
Type of support: Funding / grants · Processing & value-added
Who can apply: Individual producer, Beginning / underserved, Tribal
Fits these operations: Vegetables & produce, Orchard & fruit, Urban farm, Mixed / diversified

Am I eligible?

Specialty crop operation (fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, horticulture)
Obtained or renewed an eligible food safety certification in the program year
Beginning, veteran, and underserved growers get a higher reimbursement rate

How to apply

1Complete or renew your food safety certification and keep all invoices
2Visit your FSA county office during the sign-up window
3File the FSCSC application with your expense documentation
4Receive reimbursement by direct deposit

What you'll need

Certification audit invoice and certificate
Receipts for training, testing, and equipment tied to certification
FSA farm records / customer number

Timeline & contact

Reimbursement usually within 1–2 months of a complete filing

Get help: FSA county office

Ready to apply?

Applications go through USDA Farm Service Agency, not through this site. Open the official page below for eligibility rules, forms, and contacts. For federal programs it's worth calling your local USDA Service Center or Cooperative Extension office first — they help with paperwork for free and know what your county actually funds.

Open official page

This listing was last hand-checked August 2026.

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