Farm and Food Workers Relief Grant Program Use and Monitoring of Funds

Date Issued

Monday, September 29, 2025

Submitting OIG

Department of Agriculture OIG

Agencies Reviewed/Investigated

Department of Agriculture

Components

Agricultural Marketing Service

Report Number

01601-0002-22

Report Description

OIG reviewed the Agricultural Marketing Service’s monitoring over grantees’ use of funds within the Farm and Food Workers Relief Grant Program.

Report Type

Audit

Agency Wide

Yes

Number of Recommendations

Questioned Costs

$548,257,947

Funds for Better Use

Report updated under NDAA 5274

Open Recommendations

This report has 4 open recommendations.

Recommendation Number	Significant Recommendation	Recommended Questioned Costs	Recommended Funds for Better Use
1	Yes	$0	$0
Require and document its justification when the agency chooses to forgo its existing agency-wide grant monitoring procedures–such as site visits and risk-based reviews of source documentation.
2	Yes	$0	$0
Develop comprehensive guidance that details the analysis its grant management specialists should perform and document when conducting payment verification and approval reviews.
3	Yes	$548,257,947	$0
Conduct an assessment of the $548 million we identified as unsupported costs to ensure the FFWR grantees’ past payment requests were used for authorized purposes. Pursue recovery for any determined improper payments.
4	Yes	$0	$0
For future grant programs, establish a process to conduct a program risk assessment and continually assess risks associated with post-award monitoring activities.