Food Waste Reduction Grant

The 2026 Food Waste Reduction Grant (FWR) is administered by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Environmental Assistance and Customer Service (DEACS) as part of the Solid Waste Management Outreach Program. This grant aims to support projects that reduce the volume of food waste being landfilled by enhancing food donation efforts and developing organics recycling infrastructure. The program invites proposals from local governments, nonprofit organizations, and businesses operating in North Carolina that currently manage, or plan to manage, excess or wasted food with the intent to divert material from landfill disposal. Funding is available in two categories: Standard Projects and Priority Projects. Standard Projects are eligible for up to $40,000, while Priority Projects, which include efforts to recover edible food for human consumption or expand food waste recycling infrastructure, can receive up to $60,000. All grant awards require a minimum 20 percent cash match from applicants. In-kind contributions are not accepted in place of this cash match. The grant reimburses approved project expenses after purchase and delivery of goods, withholding 10 percent of total funds until the final project report is submitted and approved. Eligible activities include but are not limited to: purchasing carts, containers, trucks, refrigeration systems, freezers, food prep equipment, and building or upgrading facilities for food scrap processing. Projects that merely replace existing infrastructure are less competitive. Grant funds may also be used for educational materials that accompany infrastructure projects, such as signage or brochures. Salaries, land purchases, administrative overhead, studies, or contracted services are not eligible for reimbursement. Applicants must follow a detailed proposal format, including operational background, project scope, implementation timeline, waste reduction impact estimates, budget justification, and (if applicable) supporting forms. Proposals must be submitted by email as attachments by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 24, 2025. The grant performance period runs from February 1, 2026, through January 31, 2027. All expenses must occur within this window to be eligible for reimbursement. The final report is due by January 31, 2027. Eligible applicants include North Carolina-based compost facilities (permitted or exempt), anaerobic digestion operations, compost haulers, food recovery organizations such as food banks or pantries, and local government entities including counties, municipalities, and solid waste authorities. Educational institutions are not eligible to apply directly but may partner with eligible entities. Only one application per entity is permitted. The review committee evaluates proposals using five weighted criteria: quality of planning, demonstration of need, projected waste diversion impact, efficiency and longevity of the solution, and whether the proposal meets a priority category. For more information or to submit an application, applicants may contact Christine Wittmeier at christine.wittmeier@deq.nc.gov or 919-707-8121.

Proposals are scored based on planning, need, waste reduction impact, efficiency, and whether they align with program priorities. Applicants must submit by email as an attachment. Confirmation of receipt is required.