Composting and Food Waste Reduction Pilot Project

This program provides financial assistance to carry out activities for one or more of the following purposes.

• Generate compost.

• Increase access to compost for agricultural producers.

• Reduce reliance on, and limit the use of, fertilizer.

• Improve soil quality.

• Encourage waste management and permaculture business development.

• Increase rainwater absorption.

• Reduce municipal food waste; and

• Divert residential and commercial food waste from landfills.

In addition to meeting one or more of the above purposes applicants are encouraged to align their project proposals to address priorities on environmental justice, racial equity, climate, invest in disadvantaged communities and climate smart agricultural practices. Priority will be given for each of the following elements that are included in a project:

• Anticipate or demonstrate economic benefits for the targeted community;

• Incorporate plans to make compost easily accessible to agricultural producers, including community gardeners, school gardens, and producers;

• Integrate food waste reduction strategies, including innovative food recovery efforts such as food gleaning, storage, and preservation techniques; and

• Include a robust plan that describes collaboration with multiple partners. 

Eligibility for this opportunity is limited to the following entity types:

• City or township governments

• County governments

• Independent School Districts

• State-designated Indian Tribes

• Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)

• Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally-recognized tribal governments)

• Special district governments

• Municipal Governments

This program requires applicants to provide a minimum cost share of 25 percent of the federal share awarded. Applications that do not include the required level of cost-sharing will be ineligible for award. Cost sharing may be achieved with contributions of cash, services, materials, equipment, or other in-kind contributions, which may be provided by the applicant or a third party.

To apply, carefully read the Notice of Funding Opportunity on grants.gov and follow the instructions to submit an application.

In preparation for applying, you will need to take the following (free) steps, if you haven't already:

• Obtain an EIN from the IRS

• Register with SAM.gov

• Obtain a Unique Entity Number (UEN) from SAM.gov

• Register an account with Grants.gov

• Opportunity on grants.gov (Includes Notice of Funding Opportunity)

• SAM.gov