Pretty sure that food grade refers to the plastic itself- meaning the type, such as polyethylene, and if virgin, and also if any dies are food grade safe. I have read that many new plastic buckets are all made by one company, and are actually food grade, but not certified to be food grade. I paid a bit more for white, new, food grade buckets.
On the other hand, I have a possible source for USED food grade barrels, that had citrus products previously. A great price, but I am concerned that I may not get the citrus odor, or worse, taste out.
2014 Year 1, 1 large front yard shade tree with 3 taps - 3 quarts of the best syrup I ever had.
2015 - Convince In-laws and Neighbors, bought F-150 and bricks. 20 taps, 4 gallons in pretty bottles.
2016 -- More friends and neighbors, should add another 20 +, built temporary shelter as sugar shack. F150 traded for Ram 2500. Big Blue new barrels for 116 gal storage. 8 gallons Syrup.
2017 - Mortared Brick Arch with serving pans, no make that an 18 x 48 CDL divided flat pan, 48 taps.