Funding & Support
Initial funding for FoodSHIELD was provided by grants from U.S. Department of Agriculture and the National Center for Food Protection and Defense (NCFPD), a Homeland Security Center of Excellence. FoodSHIELD start-up development has occurred under a USDA CSREES grant to NCFPD and University of Minnesota researchers.
Also through USDA, the Food Emergency Response Network (FERN) provided additional funds which FoodSHIELD uses to host the FERN website.
FoodSHIELD is also supported through its partnership with the Association of Food and Drug Officials. AFDO has provided contributions through both direct costs and in-kind contributions of over 200 state officials who firmly believe in FoodSHIELD’s potential.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has agreed to continue funding FoodSHIELD through NCFPD after the USDA CSREES grant expires in fiscal year 2009.
About the NCFPD
The National Center for Food Protection and Defense (NCFPD), a Homeland Security Center of Excellence led by the University of Minnesota, is a multidisciplinary and action-oriented research consortium that addresses the vulnerability of the nation’s food system to attack through intentional contamination with biological or chemical agents. It seeks to defend the safety of the food system – from pre-farm inputs through consumption – by establishing best practices, developing new tools, and attracting new researchers to prevent, manage, and respond to food contamination events.
NCFPD is one of six academic Centers of Excellence for multidisciplinary research and innovative educational programs aimed at improving the nation’s ability to prevent and respond to acts of terrorism. Visit the Homeland Security Centers of Excellence site to find out more.