Wasted Food Reduction and Food Scraps Recycling Initiatives - 2026 Grant Program

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is pleased to announce funding to reduce wasted food and enhance food scraps recycling initiatives through the Wasted Food Reduction and Food Scraps Recycling Initiatives - 2026 Grant Program. Projects or programs that promote and implement wasted food reduction and/or increase the recycling of food scraps by residential, institutional, municipal, or commercial entities may be eligible for funding through this grant opportunity.

Approximately **$4 million** is available for this Wasted Food Reduction and Food Scraps Recycling Initiatives Grant Program. Funding for this grant opportunity is provided from the Environmental Protection Fund.

Minimum grant amount is **$1,000.00**; Maximum grant amount is **$300,000.00**.

Projects directly related to a reduction in wasted food generation and/or increase in food scraps recycling are eligible for funding under this grant program. Eligible project types include, but are not limited to, projects that:

• Reduce wasted food generated by residential, institutional, municipal, and commercial entities.
• Increase the recycling of food scraps from residential, commercial, and institutional entities.
• Develop new or expand existing food scraps recycling programs or facilities owned and operated by not-for-profits or municipalities.
• Expand yard waste composting facilities to accept food scraps.
• Establish or improve food scraps recycling programs at K-12 schools, farmers' markets, community-based organizations or community centers.
• Establish or enhance wasted food reduction and recycling educational programming and training opportunities.
• Any combination of the above project types or other projects related to food scraps reduction and/or recycling.

All projects must have defined objectives, tasks, and deliverables accounted for in performance measures that can be completed and invoiced within a three-year contract term.

Bids must include proposed project objectives, tasks associated with meeting each objective, and the performance measures associated with each task (performance measures can include desired project outcomes or deliverables).

Submission

Bids must be submitted through the NYS SFS Grants Management System. Paper bids will NOT be accepted. Late bids will not be accepted.

All Bidders must be Prequalified in the SFS Grants Management System at the time and date that the bid is due. Bids from non-prequalified entities will be rejected.

Evaluation

Once the bid period opens, all projects will be evaluated on a rolling basis by DEC for eligibility in the order in which they are received (first-in, first-out). Awards will be given to bids receiving a passing score in the order in which they are submitted in SFS GM.

Match

Grant funds are available for up to 75% of the total eligible project cost. Bidders must provide the remaining 25%.

Contract term

Contracts will be given an end date that occurs 3 years after the start date assigned during the contract negotiation and execution process.

Required forms

• *Sexual Harassment Prevention Certification* (upload to SFS GM required)
• *Executive Order 16 Certification* (upload to SFS GM required)
• *Gender-Based Violence and the Workplace Certification* (upload to SFS GM required)
• *Smart Growth Assessment Form* (upload to SFS GM)