USDA has allocated $4.7 million in grants to small producers and processors for food safety education, training and technical assistance projects. The grants are intended to help recipients comply with the new food safety guidelines established by FDA under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says the recent consumer trend favoring locally produced food has opened up the market to small producers, and the administration is committed to ensuring these small operations have the tools they need to be successful. He adds this assistance will ultimately benefit the entire food supply chain.