**AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** WITHIN THE FOOD INDUSTRY, THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT NEED TO IDENTIFY AFFORDABLE, EASILY IMPLEMENTABLE, AND PRODUCTIVE TOOLS THAT CAN AID IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF APPROPRIATE CLEANING AND SANITATION PROTOCOLS TO SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE FOOD SAFETY RISKS WHILE BALANCING THE RESOURCES EXPENDED WITHIN FOOD FACILITIES. THIS PROPOSAL SEEKS TO DEVELOP INNOVATIVE FLUORESCENT BIOMIMETIC INDICATOR PARTICLES (FBMP) THAT ARE FOOD-GRADE, SAFE, AFFORDABLE, AND HAVE PROPERTIES MIMICKING PATHOGENIC MICROORGANISMS TO AID IN VALIDATING AND VERIFYING CLEANING PROTOCOLS FOR SANITATION PROGRAMS IN FOOD PROCESSING FACILITIES. OUR APPROACH INCLUDES:1) CONDUCTING A NEEDS ASSESSMENT SPECIFIC TO THE TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND FOOD SAFETY EDUCATION NECESSARY TO SUPPORT SMALL PROCESSORS;2) CHARACTERIZING THE FUNCTIONAL PERFORMANCE OF FLUORESCENT BIOMIMETIC PARTICLES ON FOOD-GRADE PROCESSING SURFACES; AND3) RECRUIT, DELIVER AND EVALUATE LEARNINGS FROM A SANITATION PROGRAM TARGETED TO SMALL PROCESSORS TO INCREASE KNOWLEDGE, SELF-EFFICACY, AND PROFICIENT SKILLS.OUR LONG-TERM PROJECT GOAL IS TO IMPROVE SANITATION PRACTICES IN FOOD PROCESSING FACILITIES SO PROCESSORS CAN DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT EFFECTIVE STANDARDIZED SANITATION OPERATING PROCEDURES TO REDUCE THE OVERALL RISK OF FOODBORNE ILLNESS AND IMPROVE ECONOMIC VIABILITY. WE HYPOTHESIZE THAT PROVIDING SMALL PROCESSORS WITH FBMPS WILL IMPROVE CLEANING PRACTICES, THEREBY INCREASING THE ADOPTION OF STANDARDIZED SANITATION OPERATING PROCEDURES THAT CAN HELP TO REDUCE THE INCIDENCE OF FOODBORNE ILLNESS AND FOOD SPOILAGE AND WASTE. THROUGHOUT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS PROJECT, WE WILL ENGAGE DIRECTLY WITH SMALL PROCESSORS FACILITATED BY ORGANIZATIONAL PARTNERS TO ENSURE THAT THE SANITATION PROGRAM CONTENT AND DELIVERY MAINTAIN RELEVANCE.