The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality is seeking applications for its Food Waste Reduction Grant Program to help local governments, non-profits, and businesses reduce the amount of wasted food being disposed in landfills.
Donor Name: North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
State: North Carolina
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 10/25/2023
Size of the Grant:
- Project Grant: Up to $60,000
- Standard Project: Up to $40,000
Grant Duration: 1 year
Details:
The Division of Environmental Assistance and Customer Service (DEACS) administers the Food Waste Reduction (FWR) Grant through the Solid Waste Management Outreach Program.
Types of Projects
Grant funds must be used to develop food waste reduction infrastructure by expanding food donation networks or composting operations, including collection and hauling. Excess food donation occurs through food banks, food pantries, or nonprofit organizations in which packaged food, prepared food and/or produce is distributed to households or individuals in need. Composting operations occur at permitted or exempt compost facilities and include the collection of food scraps from generators or designated drop-off sites.
Priority
Project Grants – Eligible for up to $60,000 in grant funding
- Priority Project Grants support investments in public food recovery and organics diversion programs that have been determined by DEACS to be of particular importance to growing and expanding efficient and effective waste reduction and organics recycling services throughout North Carolina.
2024 FWR Priority Projects include:
- Edible Food Recovery Projects: Projects that result in edible food destined for the landfill being recovered and distributed to people.
- New In-State Compost Infrastructure: Construction, expansion, or renovation of organics recycling facilities and/or hauling operations that are new or have been operating for less than five years and accept food waste from outside sources.
Standard Project Grants Eligible for up to $40,000 in grant funding
- Standard Project Grants include any projects that increase the tons of wasted food diverted from landfill disposal but fall outside of the 2024 priorities.
Funding Information
- Applicants can submit grant proposals for a maximum award of $60,000 for priority projects or $40,000 for standard projects.
- Project Period February 1, 2024 – January 30, 2025
Eligibility Criteria
All applicants must already manage or plan to manage excess food or wasted food in their operations with the purpose of diverting material from landfill disposal. North Carolina-based food rescue organizations, local governments, compost facilities, and compost businesses are eligible to apply for funding from the FWR Grant. For the purposes of eligibility for this grant, the following definitions apply:
- Food rescue organizations include food banks, food pantries, and nonprofit organizations that specialize in the collection, storage, and distribution of food for households or individuals in need.
- Local governments are defined as counties, municipalities, councils of governments and solid waste authorities in North Carolina.
- Compost facilities are permitted or exempt facilities that process organic material from outsiden sources to create a usable soil amendment.
- Compost businesses are companies or nonprofit organizations that collect or haul organic material from outside sources to compost facilities.
For more information, visit NCDEQ.
