Grants

Food Recovery Grant

The Food Recovery Grant supports programs that recover surplus, edible food from businesses, organizations and/or farmer’s markets for distribution to people in need. Recovery Grants are open to businesses (food donors, including food producers, distributors, grocers and cafeterias), nonprofit organizations and college food shelves in Ramsey and Washington counties.

Grant awards are up to $20,000.

Download full grant guidelines here.

The 2022 grant application period is now closed. The grant application period will open again in 2023. Watch this space for more information.

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Eligible businesses include:
    • Businesses (food donors)
      • Food producers
      • Distributors
      • Grocers
      • Cafeterias
    • Food shelves and banks
    • Colleges (donation and food shelves)
    • Farmers markets
  • Be in good standing with the Minnesota Secretary of State and the Minnesota Department of Revenue at time of application.
  • All food recovery associated with this grant must take place in Ramsey or Washington counties of Minnesota.

Food Recovery & Donation

  • Materials for food recovery activities, including collection materials (buckets, boxes, bags, etc.) and food mobility equipment (carts, pallets, etc.).
  • Storage costs, including rental and/or equipment purchase.
  • Transportation costs, including vehicle rental.
  • Limited staffing costs related to food recovery/gleaning work. 
  • Infrastructure and equipment for use in food recovery and donation efforts.

Education & Engagement

  • Staff recycling training (one hour wage per employee).

The 2022 grant application period is now closed. The grant application period will open again in 2023.

Applicants must work with a BizRecycling Recycling Expert to submit a grant application. The Recycling Expert will conduct an initial site visit of your location. At the site visit, the Recycling Expert will provide recommendations for food recovery and waste management improvements and discuss your project plan. They will help assemble needed documentation and price quotes for the grant application. Applications who have not had a site assessment will not be reviewed.

To set up your site assessment email info@bizrecycling.com or call 651-266-1199.

Hanna from Face to Face in St. Paul wanted to be environmentally responsible as they did their work, but it seemed like a luxury to be thinking about what to do for the environment. BizRecycling provided the opportunity to really be intentional about the responsibility to honor what we do on the earth.