FY23 Review of Produce Safety University | USDA FNS FS REVIEWPSU 23

Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA FNS FS REVIEWPSU 23

The FY23 Review of Produce Safety University opportunity is a discretionary USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) cooperative agreement designed to fund a single organization to conduct a formal evaluation of Produce Safety University (PSU), a training program created by FNS in partnership with USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). PSU is structured as a week-long, train-the-trainer immersion course that is typically offered about five times per year during the late spring and summer. Its main audience is child nutrition professionals, and the goal of the course is to deepen their practical understanding of the fresh produce supply chain and strengthen their ability to prevent, spot, and manage food safety risks tied to produce used in school meal programs.

A core focus of PSU, and therefore of the evaluation funded by this award, is how well the curriculum prepares participants to address real-world produce safety challenges across multiple sourcing scenarios. The course covers produce that is purchased directly from farmers, obtained through distributors, received as whole produce or fresh-cut items, and even produce that may be grown and handled in school gardens. Instruction is intentionally hands-on and multi-format, combining classroom lecture with laboratory-style learning and field-trip components. The curriculum spans the full supply chain, from growing and harvesting practices through post-harvest handling, storage, and final preparation, with an emphasis on identifying points where contamination or mishandling can occur and how to put effective controls in place.

Through this cooperative agreement, FNS is seeking an applicant that can evaluate PSU comprehensively, including reviewing the course itself, assessing the effectiveness of the curriculum, and determining the longer-term impact of PSU graduates after they return to their organizations and training roles. In practice, this implies measuring both immediate outcomes (such as knowledge gains, confidence, and skill acquisition) and downstream outcomes (such as whether PSU graduates change policies, procedures, or training practices; improve handling and storage behaviors; reduce risky practices; or influence broader program operations related to produce safety). Because it is a cooperative agreement rather than a standard grant, the selected organization should also expect substantial involvement from the federal partner during the project, such as coordination on evaluation design, data collection, reporting, and interpretation of findings.

Funding is capped at $600,000 total (the award ceiling), and USDA anticipates making one award (ExpectedAwards: 1). The opportunity sits within the Agriculture, Food and Nutrition funding activity category and is associated with CFDA 10.585. The funding opportunity number is USDA FNS FS REVIEWPSU 23. The posting indicates a creation date of June 22, 2023, and an original application closing date of August 21, 2023.

Eligibility is limited to three main categories of applicants: public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations with IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) status that are not institutions of higher education. Nonprofit applicants must provide their IRS determination letter as documentation. Beyond organizational type, the opportunity places a strong emphasis on demonstrated research credibility: applicants must show a track record of successfully completing rigorous research, evidenced by publications in peer-reviewed journals. This requirement signals that USDA is looking for an evaluator with established expertise in designing and conducting high-quality studies and producing defensible, publication-level findings that can guide future decisions about PSU’s content, delivery model, and overall value to child nutrition and school food safety efforts.

• The Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service in the agriculture, food and nutrition sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY23 Review of Produce Safety University" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.585.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jun 22, 2023.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 21, 2023. (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 $600,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.

Apply for USDA FNS FS REVIEWPSU 23

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