Cold Storage Cost Share Program

The South Carolina Department of Agriculture and South Carolina Specialty Crop Growers Association offer the Cold Storage Cost Share Program through the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. Members of the South Carolina Specialty Crop Growers Association may receive reimbursement up to $750 for purchasing and installing up to two (2) CoolBot cooler systems. Nonmembers may receive reimbursement up to $325 for installing one (1) CoolBot cooler system. The CoolBot utilizes a traditional window-unit air conditioner, multiple sensors, a heating element, and a programmed micro-controller to cool a room to 36°F without freezing up.

Must be a South Carolina farmer growing specialty crops (fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops including floriculture). Must have attended a food safety workshop hosted by SCDA or Clemson Extension within the past two years; sign an affidavit that the cold storage unit will be used solely for specialty crops; provide primary source receipts; provide photos of the completed unit; enable an on-site audit; and provide follow-up data at six and twelve months. Must obtain a State of SC vendor number. SC Specialty Crop Growers Association members may be given preference.

A reimbursement cost-share with two flat per-farm ceilings set by membership status: "farmers who are members of the South Carolina Specialty Crop Growers Association may receive reimbursement up to $750 for the purchasing and installing up to two (2) Cool Bot cooler systems. Nonmembers may receive reimbursement up to $325, for installing one (1) Cool Bot cooler system."

No match percentage is published — these are absolute reimbursement ceilings, paid after purchase and installation. You must "[p]rovide primary source receipts for all expenditures related to installation of the cold storage technology unit."

Strings attached to the money, all listed as required for reimbursement: attendance at "a food safety workshop hosted by SCDA or Clemson Extension within the past two (2) years," with proof in the application; a notarized affidavit that the unit "will be used solely for the handling, holding, and distribution of specialty crops"; "photos of the completed cold storage unit showing the Cool-Bot system"; consent to "an on-site audit by a SCDA person to authenticate cold storage technology is being used solely for specialty crops"; and follow-up "data, information, statistics, and/or testimonials after six months and twelve months of installation." You also need a State of SC vendor number — "[t]his process is free and can be completed at procurement.sc.gov/doing-biz/registration." "SC Specialty Crop Growers Association members may be given preference."

Funded through the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (grant # 25SBPSC1280-00); the application form is dated 8/8/25.

Complete the Cold Storage Cost Share Program Participant Application, including receipts for all expenditures and a notarized affidavit. Return to Anne Nidiffer, SCDA Marketing Specialist, South Carolina Department of Agriculture, PO Box 11280, Columbia, SC 29211, or anidiffer@scda.sc.gov.