Orange County's $6M Grant to Enhance Edible Food Recovery and Sustainability

In a significant push toward sustainable practices, OC Waste & Recycling (OCWR) has announced the opening of applications for its Regional Recycling and Edible Food Recovery Grant. This competitive fund, amounting to $6 million over five years, is designed to bolster the infrastructure for edible food recovery in Orange County, California. By promoting partnerships and innovative ideas, this initiative aims to tackle food waste effectively while complying with California's legislative mandates.

OCWR’s program is crucial in supporting local entities involved in surplus edible food recovery efforts, including nonprofit organizations and relevant jurisdictions. Director Tom Koutroulis emphasized the necessity of these partnerships, noting that they will help facilitate better recovery of edible food destined for waste, ultimately redirecting it to communities that need it most. This fund not only represents a commitment to environmental sustainability but also recognizes the importance of community welfare through addressing food insecurity.

The grant program allows for individual awards of up to $500,000 per project, encouraging a wide range of proposals. Eligible entities can engage in projects that will enhance existing recovery programs, establish cold storage solutions, improve transportation networks, or develop data-tracking systems. This grants initiative is expected to support the recovery of food while also promoting educational efforts around sustainable practices, working toward meeting the requirements of Senate Bill (SB) 1383 which mandates food waste reduction across the state.

Key Details of the Grant Program

- Application Period Opens: March 2, 2026, at 8 a.m.
- Virtual Q&A Meeting: March 19, 2026, at 10 a.m. via Zoom.
- Application Submission Deadline: April 10, 2026, at 4:59 p.m.

This funding opportunity highlights the growing necessity for efficient food recovery systems, especially as SB 1383 imposes stricter requirements for reducing food waste.