OCWR accepting applications for food recovery grant program

OC Waste & Recycling (OCWR) is now accepting applications for the Regional Recycling and Edible Food Recovery Grant, a five-year grant program designed to expand edible food recovery infrastructure and support statewide recycling and waste-reduction mandates.

Headquartered in Santa Ana, California, OCWR serves Orange County's solid waste disposal needs through resource recovery, operating public landfills, environmental efforts, investments in renewable energy and promoting recycling.

Through the grant program, OCWR says it seeks to strengthen partnerships with Orange County Edible Food Recovery Organizations, nonprofit organizations, jurisdictions and other eligible entities to increase the recovery of surplus edible food for human consumption, reduce landfill disposal and support compliance with California Senate Bill (SB) 1383. According to OCWR, the program also supports recycling and waste-reduction initiatives that benefit communities throughout Orange County.

Across a five-year grant term, up to $6 million is available over the first three fiscal years, with individual grant awards not to exceed $500,000 per project. Eligible projects may include, but are not limited to, new or expanded edible food recovery programs, cold storage and transportation infrastructure, data-tracking software and equipment, education and outreach programs and supplies related to edible food recovery and distribution.

Grant applications are due April 10 at 4:59 p.m. OCWR will host a virtual Q&A meeting March 19 at 10 a.m. via Zoom.

“This grant program is an important investment in the partnerships necessary to recover more edible food and get it to the communities who need it most,” OCWR Director Tom Koutroulis says. “By supporting regional collaboration and sustainable programs, we are helping to bridge gaps for Orange County cities, nonprofits and community organizations to meet the SB 1383 mandate for edible food recovery by helping expand critical infrastructure and capacity to reduce food waste locally.”