Vermont Produce Safety Improvement Grants (PSIG)

The Vermont Produce Safety Improvement Grant (PSIG) program, administered by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) Produce Program, awards grants to Vermont produce farms making on-farm improvements that prevent or reduce produce safety risks. Eligible projects have included renovations to wash and pack areas, equipment installations and upgrades, improvements to produce cold storage, wildlife contamination prevention, and hand-washing and hygiene improvements. The program is supported by cooperative agreement funding from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To date, the program has awarded $307,665 in grants to 47 Vermont farms across multiple rounds (2018-2023).

Vermont produce farms making on-farm improvements to prevent or reduce produce safety risks are eligible. Applicants must enroll their farm in the Vermont Produce Portal. Applications are submitted through WebGrants.

In the most recent round (Round 5), up to $100,000 was available, with individual grants ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 and no required match. Awards support on-farm produce safety infrastructure and equipment.

Applications are submitted through the Agency's WebGrants system. The most recent round (Round 5) closed April 9, 2023. The program runs in periodic rounds funded by FDA cooperative agreements and is not currently accepting applications. Watch the Produce Program page and the Ag Bulletin for a future round. Contact: Madison Berry, Madison.Berry@vermont.gov, or the Produce Program at AGR.Produce@vermont.gov / 802-461-6152.