Edible Food Recovery Grant Program

CalRecycle administers the competitive Edible Food Recovery Grant Program to support of new and expanded food waste prevention/source reduction projects in California.

The program keeps food out of California landfills to lower greenhouse gas emissions. Funded projects either collect edible food to feed people or prevent food waste from being created at the source. The Food Waste Prevention and Rescue Grant Program previously funded these activities.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants Include:

  • Local governments (cities, counties, or cities and counties)
  • Nonprofit organizations (except private schools).
      • Nonprofit organizations must be registered with the federal government under 501(c)3, (c)4, (c)6, or (c)10 of the Internal Revenue Code and must be registered in the State of California with the Department of Justice.
      • The business must be qualified to do business in California and be in good standing with all applicable California state agencies, including, but not limited to, the Secretary of State and the Franchise Tax Board.
  • State agencies (including offices, departments, bureaus, and boards).
  • University of California, California State University, or California Community College campuses.
  • Solid Waste Facilities.
  • Public School Districts.
  • Qualifying Tribal Entities.
    • A Qualifying Tribal Entity is defined as a tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community residing within the borders of California, which:
      1. Is recognized for special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of the status of its members as Indians; or
      2. Can establish that it is a government entity that meets the criteria of the grant program.

Contact

If you have questions that are program-specific, contact GHGReductions@CalRecycle.ca.gov.

Girl Scout troop and their parents volunteer

This Girl Scout troop and their parents volunteer with a CalRecycle food rescue grantee.

Funding

To be determined in the state budget.

Eligible Costs

Review eligible costs in current cycle page.

California Climate Investments

This program is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment—particularly in disadvantaged and low-income communities. The Cap-and-Trade program also creates a financial incentive for industries to invest in clean technologies and develop innovative ways to reduce pollution. California Climate Investment projects include affordable housing, renewable energy, public transportation, zero-emission vehicles, environmental restoration, more sustainable agriculture, recycling and much more. 

For more information, visit California Climate Investments.

Current Grant Cycle

No open applications at this time.

Upcoming Grant Cycles

To be determined by state funding budget.

How to Apply

Watch for the Notice of Funds Available (NOFA) on either of these two web pages:

Online Applications

CalRecycle grant applications are submitted online through the CalRecycle Grants Management System (GMS).

Performance Table Instructional Video

 Tutorial video (YouTube, 00:04:17, Transcript) – provides help to grantees for completing the Performance Table Template for reporting.