Surplus Food Donation Equipment Grants

The Surplus Food Donation Equipment Grants program, offered by StopWaste, aims to support nonprofit organizations in Alameda County by funding the acquisition of essential equipment needed to safely recover and redistribute edible surplus food. This initiative is aligned with California’s SB 1383 law, which mandates increased efforts in food recovery to reduce organic waste. By improving food recovery infrastructure, the grant program seeks to enhance the capacity of organizations to collect, store, and distribute surplus edible food, thereby helping to nourish communities and minimize food waste. The grant provides funding for equipment such as cold storage units (refrigerators and freezers), scales, shelving, pallet jacks, reusable food transport containers, cooling blankets, and food processing tools like blenders and dehydrators. The focus is on enabling nonprofits to expand their ability to accept perishable food donations, reduce food loss, and create a more efficient food recovery process. However, certain expenditures are not eligible, including vehicle purchases, community fridges, recycling or composting projects, and capital improvements requiring facility upgrades. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations such as food pantries, food banks, community or faith-based organizations, and food recovery services. Businesses are not eligible to apply, and organizations with open grants from StopWaste are also ineligible. Projects must directly contribute to the reduction of surplus edible food disposed of in Alameda County and, if applicable, ensure that cold storage equipment meets energy efficiency standards as outlined by the California Department of Energy. The application period for the 2025 funding cycle opens on January 6, 2025, and closes on February 24, 2025. Grant awards will be announced on March 12, 2025. The total funding available for this grant category is up to $150,000, with individual awards capped at $10,000 per applicant. Applicants may only apply for one equipment grant at a time and must choose between this program and the Reusable Transport Packaging Grant. Priority will be given to projects that enhance food recovery capacity, focus on prepared food redistribution, promote client-choice distribution models, demonstrate strong community partnerships, involve first-time grantees, or replace aging equipment necessary for maintaining food recovery capabilities. This prioritization ensures that funding reaches a diverse range of organizations, particularly those seeking to scale their efforts or improve food security in underserved communities. Grantees are required to submit a final report documenting their project’s outcomes over a six-month period. Reporting options include tracking the total weight of surplus food stored in purchased equipment or using a tracking calculator to estimate the amount of food handled. A dedicated grant manager will provide support throughout the process, ensuring grantees have the necessary guidance to meet reporting requirements. The data collected will help assess the grant’s impact and effectiveness in expanding food recovery efforts in Alameda County.