THIS STANDARD RESEARCH PROJECT GRANT PROPOSAL ADRESSES THE PRIORITY AREA OF ECONOMICS, MARKETS AND TRADE. THE GOAL OF THIS PROJECT IS TO IMPROVE AWARENESS AND UNDERSTANDING OF FOOD SAFETY RISK, AND CONDITIONS THAT AFFECT THE EFFICIENT SUPPLY AND DEMAND OF FOOD PRODUCT LIABILITY INSURANCE AND PRODUCT CONTAMINATION INSURANCE SMALL, SPECIALTY CROP, FARMERS. RESEARCH AND OUTREACH ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN IN THIS PROJECT WILL EXAMINE FACTORS RELATED TO THE SUPPLY OF PRODUCT LIABILITY AND PRODUCT CONTAMINATION INSURANCE, FARMER DEMAND FOR THESE INSURANCE PRODUCTS, AND THE REQUIREMENTS FOR PRODUCT LIABILITY INSURANCE ESTABLISHED BY PRODUCE MARKETING CHANNEL INTERMEDIARIES AND INSTITUTIONAL BUYERS.AS A STARTING POINT, THIS STUDY WILL PROVIDE A THICK DESCRIPTION OF PRODUCT LIABILITY AND PRODUCT CONTAMINATION UNDERWRITING PRACTICES, INCLUDING RISK SELECTION, PREMIUM PRICING, CONTRACT DESIGN, AND LOSS PREVENTION CONSULTING, AND WILL GENERATE A STATE-LEVEL INVENTORY OF PROVIDERS OF THESE INSURANCE PRODUCTS. FACTORS WHICH INFLUENCE REQUIREMENTS FOR PRODUCT LIABILITY INSURANCE BY INSTITUTIONAL AND COMMERCIAL FOODSERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS, COMMUNITY FOOD INFRASTRUCTURE, WHOLESALERS AND DISTRIBUTORS WILL BE IDENTIFIED AND EXAMINED. FACTORS WHICH INFLUENCE DEMAND FOR PRODUCT LIABILITY AND PRODUCT CONTAMINATION INSURANCE AMONG FARMERS, INCLUDING THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF FOOD SAFETY RISK AND RISK MANAGEMENT TOOLS, AND TRADEOFFS THEY CONSIDER BETWEEN RISK AND INSURANCE COVERAGE, WILL BE EVALUATED. COMBINING THIS INFORMATION, THIS PROJECT WILL HELP ENSURE THE SUSTAINABILITY AND VIABILITY OF PRODUCE FARMERS BY ENABLING THEM MAKE MORE INFORMED DECISIONS CONCERNING FOOD SAFETY RISK, AND HELPING TO ENSURE THEIR ACCESS TO MARKETS. IN ADDITION, THIS PROJECT WILL ALSO GENERATE GUIDENCE TO PRODUCE MARKET INTERMEDIARIES, AND THE PRODUCT LIABILITY AND PRODUCT CONTAMINATION INSURANCE INDUSTRIES.