Jeff Bingaman United States Senator from New Mexico

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today joined in introducing legislation aimed at helping ensuring America's food supply continues to be safe.

The National Food Safety Training, Education, Extension, Outreach, and Technical Assistance Program Act builds on an existing U.S. Department of Agriculture program and aims to provide outreach, training and technical assistance to the country's small farmers and small-scale food processors to help assure a safe supply of fruits and vegetables.

"This legislation in an important step in helping small, local farms, organic producers and other food processors with the resources they need to produce food safely," Bingaman said.

The bill authorizes $50 million per year in competitive grants to help eligible organizations carry out education and training activities on food safety.  Activities could include: good agricultural practices, good handling practices, good manufacturing practices, produce safety standards, risk analysis and preventive control mechanisms, sanitation standards, safe packaging and storage systems, recordkeeping for product sourcing and sales, traceability, food safety audits and certification, and other activities determined by the Secretary of Agriculture.

The following entities would be eligible to apply for funding: state cooperative extension services; federal, state, local, or tribal agencies; community based non-profits; universities; agricultural organizations (trade associations, etc); and collaborations and multi-state partnerships