Wasted Food Reduction and Food Scraps Recycling Initiatives Grant Program
Wasted Food Reduction and Food Scraps Recycling Initiatives Grant Program supports New York municipalities and nonprofits with infrastructure and education projects to reduce food waste and recycle scraps.
Funder: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Due Dates: November 2, 2028, at 3:00 p.m. EST (Application deadline) | October 27, 2028, at 5:00 p.m. (Questions deadline) | December 2, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. EST (Webinar)
Funding Amounts: $1,000–$300,000 per award for three-year projects; approximately $4 million available
Summary: Supports New York State projects that reduce wasted food and expand food scraps recycling, infrastructure, education, and training.
Key Information: Applicants must provide 25% of total eligible project costs as match.
Description
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) administers this program to help municipalities and 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporations reduce wasted food and increase food scraps recycling across New York State. Supported projects address waste generated by residential, institutional, municipal, and commercial entities, with funding from the Environmental Protection Fund.
Eligible work includes developing or expanding food scraps recycling programs and municipally or nonprofit-owned and operated facilities, adapting yard waste composting facilities to accept food scraps, and improving recycling at K–12 schools, farmers’ markets, community organizations, and community centers. The program also supports wasted food reduction campaigns, educational programming, training, and technical assistance. Applicants may combine activities or propose other projects directly related to wasted food reduction or food scraps recycling.
