Food Waste Reduction Grant Program

The Food Waste Reduction Grant Program, administered by the New York State Department of Economic Development, is a $4 million initiative aimed at decreasing the amount of business-generated food waste sent to landfills and combustion facilities by supporting the development and expansion of organics recycling infrastructure across New York State. The program offers capital equipment grants to municipalities and not-for-profit organizations, which can also apply on behalf of businesses. Grants are awarded competitively and cover up to 50% of project costs, with awards ranging from a minimum of $100,000 to a maximum of $750,000. The primary goal is to establish or enhance facilities that process food waste, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with waste disposal. The program complements existing municipal efforts to promote residential food scrap recycling and encourages projects that significantly expand commercial food waste recycling capacity. Eligible projects must demonstrate the creation or expansion of organics recycling facilities capable of accepting large-scale food waste from businesses. The program is open to applicants across all counties in New York State, with a contract term of up to four years. The total MWBE participation goal is set at 30%, emphasizing diversity and inclusion in project implementation. The response deadline for applications is May 5, 2025, and the program is managed by a designated contact, Jamie Moore, from the NYS Department of Economic Development. This initiative aligns with broader environmental and waste reduction strategies, supporting sustainable business practices and greenhouse gas mitigation efforts throughout the state.