The Center for Produce Safety (CPS) is calling for applications for its GRABIT Challenge, a competition where technology innovators and developers can submit their solutions-based discovery to win an award of up to $75,000.

The Grower’s Risk Assessment Biomarkers Investigative Tool (GRABIT) challenge was designed to stimulate the development of science-based approaches to support the broader critical knowledge needs in produce safety risk identification, risk intervention and high-density data development associated with the domesticated animal-specialty crop interface. This is not a tool to look for pathogens, but a tool to look for the evidence of chronic or acute transfer factors from a domesticated animal point source.

Western Growers has been working closely with CPS to encourage the use of grant funds for projects that inspire solutions and technology development in the produce safety arena. The launch of the GRABIT Challenge signifies that CPS, with Western Growers’ close guidance, will continue to consider methods to spur food safety innovation. The GRABIT Challenge is the first of a multipart effort CPS has undertaken to address the priority research needs of the fresh produce supply chain.

CPS anticipates that the outcomes of this competitive award-based innovation and development challenge will include a diverse set of grower-oriented and, ideally, on-farm deployed tools — from solid proof-of-concept to pre-commercial beta-test ready kits.

If any WG member is currently working with a company who is developing these types of solutions, please encourage them to apply for the GRABIT Challenge. All applications can be submitted to https://www.centerforproducesafety.org/grant_opportunities.php and must be submitted by April 22, 2019.