Seafood Accelerator Program — Market Access Food Safety Program

• Maximum funding available is $15,000 per applicant, determined by project scope and deliverables.
• Financial support is cost-shared on a 50/50 basis with the applicant (e.g., a $30,000 project receives $15,000 in funding).
• Applicants must provide a down payment prior to commencement of the project.

• The applicant company must be seeking to overcome a specific food safety requirement or obstacle to enter a new market or maintain access when requirements change.
• The project must involve activities such as obtaining Global Food Safety Initiative (GSFI) certification, meeting new market food safety requirements, or similar compliance efforts.
• The application must be fully completed and submitted as required by the program guidelines.
• The company must be able to provide a down payment before project work begins.

Who is eligible?

• Seafood companies seeking to enter new markets
• Seafood companies needing to maintain access to existing markets due to changing food safety requirements

Eligible expenses

• Costs for gap assessments to evaluate compliance with specific food safety standards, including facility inspections and program reviews.
• Fees for program coaching related to the development, implementation, or revision of a food safety program, including potential employee training.
• Expenses for pre-audit assessments conducted in preparation for a third-party food safety audit, based on existing company food safety documentation and readiness.

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

• Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so early submission is recommended.
• Funding decisions are made promptly to facilitate quick project commencement.
• Successful applicants must provide a down payment to initiate the project.
• Sufficient budget must be ensured by the applicant to cover their share of the costs.