Who Can Help My Farm Apply for Food Safety Grants?
Updated: Oct 6
Farms that need help paying for food safety upgrades, audits, or organic certification can work with Kona Organic. The team finds the programs worth applying for, writes the application and budget, builds the food safety plan many programs require, and handles the reporting after an award.
Key takeaways
Food safety money comes from several places: USDA cost share, conservation programs, state grants, and value added grants.
Most programs want a written food safety plan or a scheduled audit before they pay.
Deadlines are fixed and short. Missing one means waiting a year.
Kona Organic writes the plan and the application as one package, so the paperwork does double duty.
What food safety grants can pay for
Handwashing and toilet stations in the field.
Packing shed upgrades: washable surfaces, screens, drainage, lighting.
Cold storage and coolers.
Water testing and water treatment.
Harvest containers, tools, and sanitizing equipment.
Worker training tied to GAP and the FSMA Produce Safety Rule.
The audit fee itself, through cost share when a program is open.
Where the money comes from
USDA cost share. USDA has run cost share for food safety certification in recent years, paying part of audit and training costs. Whether it is open, and the rules, change year to year.
NRCS conservation programs. Some practices that help food safety, like water management and high tunnels, are funded through conservation contracts.
Value added and market grants. Programs that fund processing, packing, and market access often accept food safety upgrades as part of the project.
State and local programs. Many states run micro grants and food security programs that fund small farm infrastructure.
Organic cost share. For certification itself, the USDA Organic Certification Cost Share Program returns up to 75 percent of costs each year, up to $750 per scope.
How Kona Organic helps
Matches the farm to the programs it can actually win this season.
Writes the application, the budget, and the supporting documents.
Builds the food safety plan and records the program requires, written so they also pass a GAP audit.
Tracks deadlines and reporting after the award so the money is not clawed back.
Kona Organic is a national organic certification consulting firm, headquartered in Hawaiʻi. The team works with farms, handlers, and food brands in all 50 states and US territories, on site or remotely, and with exporters overseas.
Common questions
Is there a grant that pays for my GAP audit?
Sometimes. USDA cost share for food safety audits has been open in recent years. Kona Organic checks the current program when you start and files it if it is open.
Do I need a food safety plan to apply?
Most programs want one, or want an audit scheduled. Kona Organic writes the plan first so the application is strong.
How long does a grant take?
From application to money in hand is often three to nine months. Start before the season you need the upgrade.
Related guides: How Farms Can Pay for Organic Certification: FSA, NRCS, and Cost Share Programs • Who Can Help My Farm Pass a GAP Food Safety Audit? • Free Help for Farms: Where to Start
Last updated: October 2026.
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