Composting and Food Waste Reduction Cooperative Agreements from the U.S. Department of Agriculture are available for an estimated $75,000 – $400,000. Projects must be 2 years long and based on a start date of January 31, 2025.
Applications are due by September 4, 2024 at 11:59 PM ET. A 25% match of nonfederal money is required; this may be provided in cash, services, materials, equipment, or in kind donations.
Eligibility
This funding opportunity is open to:
- Local governments
- Special district governments (soil and water conservation districts, regional planning districts, landfill districts, etc.)
- Native American tribal governments
- School districts
- Tribal organizations
Program Goals
Food Waste Reduction Goals
- Reduce municipal food waste
- Divert residential and commercial food waste from landfills
Composting and Conservation Goals
- Create compost
- Increase agricultural producers’ access to compost
- Limit the use of chemical fertilizer by reducing reliance on it
- Improve soil quality
- Encourage waste management and permaculture business development.
- Increase rainwater capture, infiltration, or absorption
Program Priorities
Priority consideration will be given to projects that include:
- Ways to address environmental justice, racial equity, climate change, investment in underserved communities, and sustainable agricultural practices
- Integration of food waste reduction strategies that take the EPA’s Wasted Food Scale into consideration
- Expected economic benefits for the community
- Plans to make compost easily available to community gardeners, school gardens, and other producers
- Collaboration with multiple partners
- Plans for monitoring and evaluating lessons learned throughout the project
Allowable Expenses
Funds may be use for:
- Salaries and wages for employees of the applicant organization
- Fringe benefits for the above employees
- Travel
- Equipment
- Supplies
- Consultants and contractors
- Construction
Applicants should use their negotiated indirect cost rate or the 10 percent de minimis cost rate.