 |
|
|
|
|
U.S. Department of
Agriculture Guidance from the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service for Fiscal Year 1999 PART 1 - PLAN OF WORK PROJECTS DUE APRIL 12, 1999 PART 2 - COMPETITIVE PROJECTS DUE APRIL 26, 1999 The Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service of the United States Department of Agriculture announces the availability of funding for Food Safety & Quality programs for Fiscal Year 1999. These funds are to address priority issues in food safety education and to improve program delivery, initiate or expand collaborative efforts, and/or significantly expand coverage of effective programs. This Request for Proposals allows 73 eligible institutions within the Cooperative Extension System to apply for Plan of Work and Competitive Project funds. To apply for funds, applicants must meet the objectives and criteria described. HIGHLIGHTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 1999 In Fiscal Year (FY) 1999 Food Safety and Quality project funds will be awarded in two ways. Funding will be available for Plan of Work Projects and for Competitive Projects. Faculty at the 73 eligible institutions in the Cooperative Extension System are eligible to apply for Plan of Work and Competitive Project funds. Faculty at all eligible institutions are encouraged to apply for both Plan of Work and Competitive Project funds. Plan of Work Project funds for FY 1999 will be awarded prior to September 30, 1999. Application and reporting procedures for Plan of Work Projects are described in Part 1 of this Request for Proposals. The purpose of Plan of Work Project funds is to establish and build the capacity of each eligible institution to provide effective, science-based food safety education to consumers, farmers, industry, educators, health professionals, and other key audiences. Competitive Project funds for FY 1999 will be awarded prior to September 30, 1999. The application and reporting procedures for Competitive Project funds are described in Part 2 of this Request for Proposals. Competitive funds will be awarded in several competitive categories described on pages 14-18. In FY 1999 Food Safety and Quality funds will be used to support the development of joint programs that incorporate food safety concepts and food safety education into other existing Smith-Lever 3(d) programs, such as the Water Quality Initiative, the Farm-A-Syst Program, the Animal Waste Management Initiative, the Integrated Pest Management Initiative, the National Agricultural Pesticide Impact Assessment Program, the Small Farms Program, the Children, Youth, and Families at Risk Initiative, and the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program. Eligible applicants are encouraged to submit multi-state, multi-institutional, and multi-disciplinary proposals describing collaborative educational programs and activities in food safety. In addition, collaboration with the 1994 institutions is highly encouraged. The proposals should be jointly developed by all collaborating partners. Funds will be made available for multi-year (2 year), competitive projects that enhance and facilitate multi-state, multi-institutional collaborations. (Second year funding is contingent upon the availability of funds). CHANGES FOR FISCAL YEAR 1999 There are no matching requirements for FY 1999 Food Safety and Quality funds. Matching requirements for both Plan of Work Project funds and Competitive Project funds have been waived for all eligible applicants. New Plan of Work Projects will be funded at a maximum amount of $30,000 per eligible institution. Joint proposals for Plan of Work Projects involving collaboration with 1994 Land- Grant Universities (tribal colleges) may be funded up to $40,000. Plan of Work Projects will be funded for one year. A Final Report and Summary of the Results will be required at the completion of each project. New competitive projects will be funded at maximum amounts ranging from $50,000 for single-state projects to $500,000 for multi-state, multi-institutional projects. Competitive Projects will be funded for up to 2 years, contingent upon the availability of funds in Year 2. (Project Directors of Competitive Projects must submit a proposal in Fiscal Year 2000 for Year 2 funding). A Final Report and Summary of the Results will be required at the completion of each project. Additional requirements for distribution of educational curricula and materials produced for Competitive Projects are described on pages 19-20. Proposed activities described in the Plan of Work and Competitive Project applications must focus on the competitive categories (see pages 14 - 18) developed for the Food Safety and Quality Initiative. Several new competitive categories have been developed this year to reflect Presidential Food Safety Initiative priorities (see below), interagency food safety efforts, emerging needs in food safety, and needs identified by faculty in the Cooperative Extension System, including those needs identified for other Smith-Lever 3(d) funded programs. Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) model development, training, and education will remain a priority in 1999. In addition, to support the President’s Food Safety Initiative (see below), funding consideration will be given to consumer education programs focusing on the role of the consumer in ensuring and improving the safety of the Nation’s food supply. Funding consideration will also be given to educational efforts that support the activities of the Partnership for Food Safety Education (see below). All new project applicants are required to submit a 1- to 2-page executive summary with their FY 1999 project proposals. The executive summary must describe the need for the project, the program objectives, the target audience, the evaluation methodology, and the expected outcome. THE PRESIDENTIAL FOOD SAFETY INITIATIVE The Partnership for Food Safety Education President Clinton’s new Food Safety Initiative seeks to improve the safety of the Nation’s food supply through the development of a nationwide early warning system for food-borne illness, enhanced food inspections, expanded research and risk assessment, and improved food safety training and education. To accomplish the goals for improving food safety training and education a new public and private sector partnership has been formed. The Partnership for Food Safety Education was created to combine resources of the Federal government, the food industry, the Cooperative Extension System, and consumer organizations to conduct a nationwide education campaign designed to reach men, women, and children of all ages. The Partnership will develop standardized, targeted food safety messages (through the Fight BAC campaign) that are readily translated into practical, safe food handling behaviors by consumers, industry, and retail groups. Extension educators are urged to work with members of the Partnership in new and unique ways to bridge the gaps between research, knowledge and practices that promote a safe food supply. Nationwide Consumer Education Campaign for Food Handlers New HACCP-based methods for inspecting meat and poultry plants have been developed and adopted into law. But industry representatives fear that HACCP places the onus for food safety on producers and processors, and they have argued that consumers must share in the responsibility for food safety. Both industry and consumers have a critical role to play in ensuring food safety, but in order for consumers to understand and adopt recommended safe food handling practices, a nationwide public education effort is required. In support of the President’s new Food Safety Initiative, the Cooperative Extension System is committed to the nationwide farm-to-table food safety education effort, with a special focus on the role of consumers in ensuring and improving the safety of the Nation’s food supply. The education effort will support and augment the activities of the public/private Partnership for Food Safety Education. Particular emphasis will be given to education efforts targeting consumers who handle food in the home, at congregate meal sites, at gleaning and food recovery program sites, and in retail food establishments. Extension educators are urged to identify and target under-served groups and those who are at particularly high risk for food-borne illness. If you have questions about the FY 1999 Request for Proposals, please contact Jan Singleton at (202) 401-1954, or by e-mail at jsingleton@reeusda.gov. REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS The USDA Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) announces the availability of funding for Food Safety & Quality programs for Fiscal Year 1999. These funds are to address priority issues in food safety and to improve program delivery, initiate or expand collaborative efforts, and/or significantly expand coverage of effective programs. Availability of Funds In FY 1999 Competitive Project funds will be available to 73 eligible institutions within the Cooperative Extension System. Authorization Funding for Food Safety and Quality projects is authorized by section 3(d) of the Smith-Lever Act, as amended, and other authorizing legislation which provides jurisdictional basis for the establishment and operation of Cooperative Extension educational work for the benefit of youth and adults. Duration Competitive Projects for FY 1999 are expected to begin immediately upon funding. Funding for these projects will continue for two years, contingent upon the availability of funds in year 2. Eligibility Eligible applicants for 3(d) Smith-Lever funds are the Cooperative Extension Services located at the 1862 and 1890 Land-Grant Universities. Multi-state, multi-institutional, and multi-disciplinary proposals focusing on common issues are welcomed. Applications should reflect comprehensive efforts to utilize the expertise and resources of the total Land-Grant University system, including the 1994 tribal colleges. Matching Funds There are no matching requirements for FY 1999 Food Safety and Quality funds. Matching requirements for both Plan of Work Project funds and Competitive Project funds have been waived for all eligible applicants. Closing Date To assure consideration, Competitive Project proposals must be postmarked on or before April 26, 1999. A title page, budget sheet, and budget narrative must accompany the proposal. Fax copies will not be accepted. A transmittal letter from the State Extension Director is not required. However, the proposal Title Page must be signed by the appropriate State Extension Director. Hand-delivered proposals (brought in person by the applicant or through a courier service) must be received on or before April 26, 1999. Proposal Receipt Point An original Competitive Project application with the original signed Title Page, Budget Sheet and Budget Narrative (materials should be printed on one side only) and seven (7) duplicate copies of these materials should be sent to the following: By Surface Mail (U.S. Postal Service) For Further Information Contact: FUNDING CRITERIA FOR COMPETITIVE PROJECTS The Strategic Action Plan of the Food Safety and Quality National Initiative provides the context, objectives, and recommended actions for programming in the national Food Safety and Quality Initiative. The educational goals and objectives of initiative programs found in the Strategic Plan are helpful in delineating how funding opportunities described in this Request for Proposals relate to the initiative efforts. Please refer to the Strategic Action Plan for more background information on initiative directions. Educational Goal: Food Safety and Quality programs will improve the ability of members of the food system (farmers, producers, processors, distributors, retailers, food service industry, consumers and others) to make informed, responsible decisions related to food safety and quality issues and concerns. Educational Objectives: Program clientele will:
Competitive Categories Competitive funds are available for projects of up to 2 years in duration (contingent upon availability of funds in Year 2) that address Food Safety and Quality issues in one of 8 competitive categories. Multi-state, multi-institutional, multi-disciplinary project proposals may be submitted and are highly encouraged. In addition, collaboration with the 1994 institutions (the tribal colleges) is highly encouraged. Each multi-state, multi-institutional proposal must designate a lead state responsible for administering and allocating project funds to partnering institutions. Allocation of funds and responsibility among collaborating states must be clearly indicated in the application. Funds will be provided to all eligible 1862 and 1890 institutions for distribution to collaborating states and institutions. Total funds available: Approximately $3,650,400 In FY 1999, the following competitive categories will receive priority funding consideration: CATEGORY 1: Food handler education and training for consumers and youth This category will support the development of education and training programs that promote and enhance general food safety and food handler education for youths, adults, and older Americans preparing food in the home. Particular emphasis will be given to education efforts that support activities of the Presidential Food Safety Initiative and the Fight BAC campaign of the Partnership for Food Safety Education. In addition, this category will support the development and expansion of a national food safety education database. The database will include descriptive information about Food Safety and Quality programs in the Cooperative Extension System. The database should also facilitate coordinating and networking with the National Food Safety Information Network and the USDA/FDA Foodborne Illness Education Information Center at the National Agricultural Library to improve access to other food safety databases and food safety-related activities, programs, and resources. This category will also support the development of an electronic newsletter highlighting successful Food Safety and Quality programs, reporting program accomplishments, and providing program updates. The newsletter should be widely available to partners in the public and private sectors.
CATEGORY 2: Food handler education for high-risk and hard-to-reach audiences This category will support the development of consumer education and training programs for high-risk or under-served groups (such as pregnant or nursing mothers, infants, children, the chronically ill, those with limited resources, those with low literacy skills, or those who speak English as a second language). Programs that target families receiving Federal food assistance or families participating in the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program are encouraged.
CATEGORY 3: Food handler education for commercial and non-commercial audiences, including food handler certification training (train-the-trainer programs) This category will support the development, implementation, and evaluation of "train the trainer" programs for food handlers in commercial and non-commercial settings. Particular emphasis will be given to the development and implementation of food handler certification programs. Education and training programs for food handlers will target trainers in institutional food service, retail establishments, hospitals, health care facilities, day care facilities, congregate meal sites, gleaning and food recovery programs, food banks, soup kitchens, churches, service clubs, etc. Individuals trained will, in turn, provide training and education for a variety of audiences including youths, adults, older Americans, producers, processors, distributors, food service workers, educators, and other relevant target audiences.
CATEGORY 4: Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) model development, training, and education This category will support the development of projects that focus on the development of HACCP models for education and training in four targeted areas: Minimizing Microbial Food Safety Hazards for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables This sub-category will support the development of training and education programs for growers and producers of fresh fruits and vegetables using FDA’s Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables. Programs should focus on water quality, worker sanitation and health, field and facility sanitation, and transportation and handling of produce. Program development and implementation by multi-disciplinary teams that can provide a range of expertise in focusing on these areas is encouraged. Regional, multi-state, and/or national workshops must be conducted for growers and producers following the development and pilot-testing of the program. HACCP model development incorporating recommendations in the Guide is encouraged.
HACCP plan development and implementation in small and very small meat and poultry plants and other small food processing plants. This subcategory will support the development of HACCP training and education programs for small and very small meat and poultry plants and other small food processing plants. Programs should focus on teaching HACCP concepts, HACCP plan development and implementation, and developing mechanisms for providing support and technical assistance to plant operators with newly-developed HACCP plans. This subcategory will also support the development of programs that provide education and information to plant management on assessing the safety of animals supplied and knowledge of commodity food safety and quality assurance practices.
HACCP plan development and implementation in retail establishments, including distribution and transportation sectors of the food industry This sub-category will support the development of projects that determine the most efficient ways to provide industry with training and education that focuses on preventing contamination of foods during distribution and transportation.
HACCP "train the trainer" programs using currently available models, curricula, and materials This subcategory will support the development of HACCP "train the trainer" programs using currently available models developed for HACCP. Total Quality Management, and Food Safety/Quality Assurance education and training programs for livestock, pork, or poultry producers are encouraged. Projects focused on developing or adapting existing HACCP models for use in emerging areas and/or for new target audiences will also be supported.
HACCP model development must include pilot-testing of the model in Year 1. Model implementation and evaluation must be completed in Year 2. HACCP models should be ready for use by other states, regions, etc. at the completion of each project. Regional, multi-state, or national workshops focused on training potential users of the HACCP models should be conducted in Year 2. (For small and very small meat and poultry plants, model development and implementation should be completed by the end of Year 1; thorough evaluation of the model should be conducted in Year 2). CATEGORY 5: Home food preservation, including canning and freezing This category will support the development of a National Center for Home Food Preservation focusing on home canning and freezing of foods. The Center will:
Total funds in this category: $300,000 Maximum funds for single-state or multi-state, multi-institutional projects: $300,000 Activities to support the revision of the Complete Guide to Home Canning and Complete Guide to Home Freezing will be conducted in Year 1. Home food preservation education, training, and information dissemination will be provided in Year 2. Regional, multi-state, or national workshops may be conducted. CATEGORY 6: Development of program performance (impact ) indicators for food safety programs in the Cooperative Extension System This category will support the development of measurable performance indicators that can be used to demonstrate the impact of Food Safety and Quality programs throughout the Cooperative Extension System. This project will also support the development of a web-based reporting system that will allow for rapid collection and interpretation of data submitted by Project Directors, eliminating the need for Annual and Final Project Reports. Total funds for this category: $200,000 Maximum funds for single-state, or multi state, multi-institutional projects: $200,000 CATEGORY 7: Integrating programs in food safety, water quality, animal waste management, integrated pest management, small farms management, sustainable agriculture, and programs for high-risk and low-income audiences This category will support the development of joint programs that incorporate food safety concepts and food safety education into other existing Smith-Lever 3(d) programs:
All faculty in the Cooperative Extension System who actively support any of the Smith-Lever 3(d) funded programs are encouraged to apply for funds in this category. However, priority consideration will be given to proposals that describe collaborative efforts with Food and Nutrition faculty at the Land-Grant Universities. Projects that focus on the joint development of educational curricula or models for use by growers and producers of fresh fruits and vegetables are also encouraged. For example, these models might focus on developing joint educational programs that teach growers and producers how to reduce the risk of food-borne illness by minimizing microbial and pesticide contamination through integrated pest management, the control of pesticide application, water quality, and animal waste management. This category will also support the development of programs for low-income, high-risk audiences that help to reduce the risk for food-borne illness among these vulnerable populations.
CATEGORY 8: Capacity-building in food safety education at the 1994 Land-Grant Universities (Tribal Colleges) This category will support the development of collaborative projects with the 1994 Land-Grant Universities focusing on building the capacity of faculty at the tribal colleges to provide food safety education to their respective clientele. Programs should focus on the development and pilot-testing of culturally-relevant curricula and resources for key audiences at the respective 1994 tribal colleges.
|