Funding Opportunities Related to Wasted Food
Wasted food is a growing problem in our modern society and an untapped opportunity. In 2019 alone, EPA estimates that about 66 million tons of wasted food were generated in the food retail, food service, and residential sectors, and most of this waste (60 percent) was sent to landfills. EPA estimates that more food reaches landfills and combustion facilities than any other single material in our everyday trash, constituting 24 percent of the amount landfilled and 22 percent of the amount combusted with energy recovery in 2018.
On this page:
EPA Grants
EPA has no current funding opportunities for reducing wasted food available. We will update this page with any future opportunities.
EPA Specific Grant Programs: The Office of Grants and Debarment establishes and provides national assistance agreement policies, guidance, and training; manages the Agency's assistance agreement competition policies and practices; provides compliance support; administers assistance agreements; and manages the Agency’s Suspension and Debarment program. Visit EPA Specific Grant Programs to read the full list of grant programs.
Grants.gov
All EPA grants and other federal grants can be found on Grants.gov. Additionally, all EPA grant applicants must use Workspace to submit applications through Grants.gov.
Other Federal Agency Grants
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP)
FMPP offers four different project types, ranging from 24 to 36 months. Please refer the website for additional information, including eligible entities and application details. The floor for FMPP awards is $50,000, with a ceiling of $500,000 (depending upon project type). An important note: there is a cost share/match requirement of 25% cash or in-kind contribution.
Applications are due June 27, 2025.
Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP)
LFPP offers four different project types, ranging from 24 to 36 months. Eligible entities may apply if they support local and regional food business enterprises that process, distribute, aggregate, or store locally or regionally produced food products. The floor for LFPP awards is $25,000, with a ceiling of $500,000 (depending upon project type). Visit the program page for additional information, including application details. An important note: there is a cost share/match requirement of 25% cash or in-kind contribution.
Applications are due June 27, 2025.
Regional Food System Partnerships (RFSP)
RFSP offers two types of projects: a 24-month Planning and Design project ($100,000 to $250,000), and 36-month Implementation and Expansion project ($250,000 to $1,000,000). Eligible entities include producers, farmer or rancher cooperatives, community supported agriculture networks or associations, food councils, local governments, nonprofit corporations, regional farmers market authorities, and tribal governments, among others. Refer to the webpage for additional details. An important note: a 25% cash match is required.
Applications are due June 27, 2025.