Schools Food Waste Diversion Pilot Program

The Monroe County Schools Food Waste Diversion Pilot Program is a grant initiative led by the Monroe County Department of Environmental Services in New York, aiming to encourage and support public school districts in implementing or expanding food waste diversion strategies. Rooted in environmental sustainability, the program is a key component of the county’s broader climate action strategy, aligning with both state and federal mandates, such as the New York State Food Donation and Food Scraps Recycling Law and the United States Department of Agriculture’s national goals. Now in its second year, this pilot seeks to strengthen food waste management infrastructure within educational institutions, promote student-led environmental stewardship, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with landfill-bound organics. The program is open to all public school districts located within Monroe County, including BOCES Monroe 1 and Monroe 2. Districts must be in compliance with county-mandated mixed recycling requirements to be eligible. Importantly, those districts that received funding in the prior cycle (2025–2026) remain eligible and are encouraged to reapply. Only one application per district is permitted. The application must come from the district itself, not individual schools, as the funding agreement will be executed at the district level. The program is reimbursable and requires a 50% match, meaning that schools must first expend the funds, document expenditures, and submit a reimbursement request with a progress report before receiving the grant allocation. A total of $50,000 has been allocated in the Monroe County 2026 budget for this initiative. Each grant award may cover up to 50% of eligible project costs, with a maximum grant amount of $5,000 per district. Eligible projects include hauling services to NYSDEC-authorized organics recycling facilities, development or expansion of on-site composting programs, or a combination of both. The grant also covers specific eligible expenses such as equipment and supplies for food waste diversion programs, expansion of existing composting infrastructure, short-term hauling contracts, and the creation of education and outreach materials that support waste diversion goals. The application period for the 2026–2027 cycle opens on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, and closes on Monday, April 20, 2026. Applications are accepted exclusively through the designated online portal. A virtual informational webinar is scheduled for Tuesday, March 24, 2026, to provide guidance on the application process and allow for questions from interested applicants. Participation in this training session is recommended but not mandatory. Following the close of the application window, award notifications are expected in the second quarter of 2026. Selected districts must enter into an Intermunicipal Agreement (IMA) with Monroe County before receiving reimbursement. The one-year pilot program is designed to align with the academic calendar, focusing efforts within a clear performance period. The program encourages flexibility in waste diversion methods—be it composting, donation, or other innovative approaches—and applicants are advised to reference tools like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Wasted Food Scale to prioritize impactful strategies. Through this initiative, Monroe County seeks not only to reduce food waste and its environmental impacts but also to build long-term awareness and behavioral change in school communities regarding sustainability and food systems.

Ensure 50% match funding; comply with county recycling rules; focus on impactful waste diversion methods