VERMONT DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH - FOOD AND LODGING PROGRAM Flexible Funding Model – Infrastructure Development and Maintenance for State Manufactured Food Regulatory Programs Vermont is a small New England state with a population of approximately 625,000 people. The Vermont food landscape is diverse, with many producers and processors of local products from farm to table. The Vermont Department of Health (VDH) is the state’s lead agency for public health policy and advocacy. State regulatory jurisdiction over food producers is shared between the Vermont Department of Health (VDH) and the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM). In 2008, VDH enrolled in the Manufactured Food Regulatory Program Standards (MFRPS). Since 2012, MFRPS cooperative agreement funding has been vital for achieving implementation and conformance with the standards, and has improved the quality and resources of the overall food safety program. The program maintains a comprehensive Strategic Plan that includes continued work necessary to maintain conformance with the standards. VDH is proposing cooperative agreement funding for maintaining conformance with the 2022 standards. Proposed funding will support the Program Standards Coordinator responsible for managing the cooperative agreement. Additionally, continued funding for the Compliance & Enforcement Advisor to advance conformance with Standards 4, and 6. Lastly, continued funding to support one Public Health Inspector position to complete inspection work and improve the inspector-to-establishment ratio needed for adequate food safety evaluation and compliance follow-up (Standards 3, 6, and 8). Training funds will continue to allow inspection staff to participate in FDA training courses, including regulator training for Preventive Control rule implementation. Special Project funding is proposed to support transition to the SAFHER IT solution to advance the Integrated Food Safety System. 1

Flexible Funding Model – Infrastructure Development and Maintenance for State Manufactured Food Regulatory Programs Project Narrative The Vermont Department of Health (VDH) is applying for Flexible Funding Model cooperative agreement funding to maintain conformance with MFRPS and the overall goal of improving food safety and protection from farm to table in Vermont. The mission of VDH is “To protect and promote optimal health for all Vermonters.” There is a public health need to sustain improvements in regulatory program activities, training, resources and infrastructure. Increasing local food production in Vermont is seen as an ideal way to grow local businesses and create local jobs, which has resulted in the number of food processors and local food products available for distribution. Funding for MFRPS maintenance and conformance is needed to address emerging food safety needs for Vermont producers and processors in order to protect public health.