About the Program
Outcome Goals
FDA encourages all applicants to achieve the following outcomes as they seek to complete all nine of the Retail Program Standards:
- Complete/update a Self-Assessment of All Nine Standards (SA9) once every five years.
- Meet all Elements leading to compliance with each of the nine Standards and complete a Verification Audit for each of the nine Standards
- Complete each of the Elements that lead to conformance with Standard 9, using funding available to:
Complete a foodborne illness Risk Factor Study, commonly updated every five years, using one of three approaches:
1.A Level 1 Risk Factor Study uses the “File Study” approach which uses routine inspection data from inspections that have already been completed, to retroactively assess the occurrence of risk factors.
2.A Level 2 FDA Risk Factor Study uses the “Data Collection” approach to estimate the occurrence of risk factors using observational visits to randomly selected retail food establishments. A “Data Collection” visit has, as its sole focus, observation of food safety behaviors tied to risk factors and is completed separately from the regulatory inspection.
3.A third approach, also considered a Level 2 FDA Risk Factor Study, is the “Hybrid Approach” which combines elements of the first two, by combining the data collection with a routine inspection. It is suggested that the data collection occur after the routine inspection has been performed.
4.
For detailed descriptions of each approach and much additional information, be sure to refer to FDA’s Retail Food Risk Factor Guidance (https://www.fda.gov/media/177280/download?attachment).
Design (or update) Risk Factor Study, prepare materials, and train staff
Collect risk factor data for new (baseline) or ongoing study
Analyze risk factor data
Complete data analysis report and determine interventions needed
Implement interventions based on results of data analysis
Meet and Audit Standard 9
- Use a Mentorship Optional Add-on Grant to become a Mentor and assist other jurisdictions in making progress in the Retail Program Standards or become a Mentee to learn about and progress through the Retail Program Standards.
- Use a Training/Staff Development and Program Standards Engagement Optional Add-On Grant to advance SLTT retail food protection programs by training employees, with the goal of meeting and maintaining the requirements of Standard 2 and other Retail Program Standards.
Understanding the Three Types of Base Grants and the Optional Add-On Grants
The NEHA-FDA RFFM Grant Program was designed to assist the hundreds of diverse SLTT agencies with the primary responsibility of regulating the millions of retail food establishments in the United States. The RFFM offers multiple grants of varying amounts and complexities, with the goal of meeting each jurisdiction where they are, no matter how large, small, or resource-limited.
2025-2026 Grant Types:
Track 1 Development Base Grant
Designed for jurisdictions newly beginning or re-starting with the Retail Program Standards (RPS), providing funding for:
- Completion of a Self-Assessment of all 9 Standards (SA9) AND a Comprehensive Strategic Improvement Plan (CSIP);
- Mentee Optional Add-On;
Track 2 Development Base Grant
Designed for jurisdictions who have a current SA9 (August 2019 or later) and CSIP, providing funding for:
- Continuous Improvement with at least one of Standards 1 – 8;
- Work toward meeting or maintaining Standard 9;
- Completing an Updated Self-Assessment of All 9 Standards (within 12 months of its expiration, if applicable);
- Training Optional Add-On for attendance at retail food training, conferences, or workshops.
A three-year Track 3 Maintenance and Advancement Base Grant
For jurisdictions who have a current SA9 (August 2019 or later) and CSIP, and have successfully Met and Audited three different Standards within the past 5 year, providing funding for:
- Maintaining all Standards already met and meet one additional Standard
- Work toward meeting or maintaining Standard 9;
- Completing an updated Self-Assessment of All Nine Standards (within 12 months of its expiration, if applicable);
- Training Optional Add-On for attendance at retail food training, conferences, or workshops;
- Capacity Building Optional Add-On.
Mentorship / Mentor Optional Add-On Grant
Available for Track 2 and 3 applicants, providing funding to serve as a Retail Program Standards Mentor for 1-5 Mentees.