USDA Awards More Than $13 Million to Improve Food Safety Through Research, Education and Extension
Jennifer Martin, (202) 720-8188
October 1, 2008
WASHINGTON, October 1, 2008 - Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer today announced $13.8 million awarded to support research, education and outreach for food safety. USDA awarded the grants in 19 states through the National Integrated Food Safety Initiative.
"Most often, the prevention of food-borne illnesses comes through education and safe handling practices in the preparation of food," said Schafer. "Sound advice about food safety is based on good research to pinpoint potential pathways of contamination as well as effective solutions and safeguards."
Each year, USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) awards National Integrated Food Safety Initiative (NIFSI) grant funds so that sound, practical, science-based knowledge can be shared among teachers, scientists, health professionals, researchers, farmers, food processors, food service workers and all who impact the safety of the U.S. food supply. NIFSI grant funds are frequently used to develop education and outreach programs for consumers.
Researchers at Cornell University will receive $1,636,366 to investigate ways to reduce the risk of contamination of fresh and fresh-cut fruits and vegetables in the fields, at harvest, and during transportation, display and purchase. Project descriptions can be found online at www.csrees.usda.gov/nea/food/pdfs/2008_competitive_
projects.pdf.
Fiscal Year 2008 NIFSI grants were awarded to:
Institution |
Amount |
University of Arkansas - Pine Bluff |
$100,000 |
University of Arkansas |
$599,521 |
Colorado State University |
$579,612 |
University of Delaware |
$596,847 |
University of Florida |
$50,000 |
University of Georgia |
$599,414 |
University of Hawaii |
$487,619 |
Illinois Institute of Technology |
$590,942 |
University of Illinois - Chicago |
$599,042 |
University of Maryland - College Park |
$599,264 |
Michigan State University |
$50,000 |
Michigan State University |
$600,000 |
Michigan State University |
$558,764 |
University of Nebraska - Lincoln |
$599,503 |
University of Nebraska - Lincoln |
$50,000 |
University of Nebraska - Lincoln |
$599,985 |
Cornell University |
$1,636,366 |
North Carolina State University |
$600,000 |
North Carolina State University |
$364,626 |
North Carolina State University |
$592,226 |
Ohio State University |
$50,000 |
Oregon State University |
$407,072 |
Pennsylvania State University |
$555,819 |
Clemson University |
$577,061 |
University of Tennessee - Knoxville |
$597,399 |
Texas Tech University |
$599,840 |
Virginia Tech |
$584,224 |
Through federal funding and leadership for research, education and extension programs, CSREES focuses on investing in science and solving critical issues impacting people's daily lives and the nation's future. For more information, visit www.csrees.usda.gov.
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Last Updated: 10/08/2008