Business Food Waste Mitigation Grant Program

The Business Food Waste Mitigation Grant Program is a state-administered funding initiative led by Empire State Development, the economic development agency for New York State. The program is designed to reduce the volume of business-generated food waste sent to landfills and combustion facilities by investing in infrastructure that supports food waste recycling. Food waste represents a significant portion of municipal solid waste in New York, and reducing it is a key strategy for lowering greenhouse gas emissions as outlined in the State’s Climate Action Council Scoping Plan. The program aligns environmental goals with economic development by supporting capital investments that expand organics recycling capacity across the state. The primary objective of the program is to fund projects that build new or expand existing systems for collecting, processing, and recycling food waste generated by commercial entities such as restaurants, grocery stores, hotels, and large venues. The program emphasizes infrastructure development, including recycling facilities and transportation systems, to ensure that food waste can be diverted efficiently and converted into usable byproducts such as compost. Funding is specifically targeted toward capital equipment and related installation costs that directly contribute to waste mitigation outcomes. Funding for this initiative totals two million dollars and is distributed through competitive grants. Individual awards range from fifty thousand dollars to seven hundred fifty thousand dollars and are structured as reimbursement grants covering up to fifty percent of total eligible project costs. This cost-share requirement ensures that applicants have financial commitment and capacity to execute the project. The program allows incremental reimbursements tied to project milestones, with a portion of funds withheld until successful completion and verification of outcomes. Eligibility is limited to New York State municipalities and nonprofit or not-for-profit organizations. These entities may apply either independently or on behalf of a New York State business acting as a co-implementor. In such cases, the business carries out the project while the eligible entity serves as the official applicant and grant recipient. All applicants must demonstrate control over the project site, compliance with tax obligations, and the ability to manage and sustain the project. Co-implementors must have been in operation in the state for at least three years and possess a valid employer identification number. The application process requires submission through the New York State Consolidated Funding Application system. Applicants must provide detailed project plans, including scope, implementation timeline, budget justification, and measurable outcomes related to food waste diversion. Evaluation criteria focus on feasibility, budget quality, and the extent of environmental impact. Projects are prioritized based on their ability to expand infrastructure in underserved areas, maximize diversion of food waste, and demonstrate clear operational plans for collection and processing. The application deadline for the current funding round is October 9, 2026 at 4:00 PM Eastern Time. Applications are reviewed competitively, and selected applicants receive award letters followed by contract negotiations outlining milestones and reporting requirements. The program operates on a structured performance-based reimbursement model, with payments tied to verified progress and outcomes. The contract period is typically two years, during which recipients must meet agreed-upon benchmarks to receive full funding. The program is expected to recur periodically, reflecting ongoing state priorities in environmental sustainability and waste reduction.

Emphasize measurable waste diversion outcomes strong budget justification and clear implementation plan aligned with infrastructure expansion priorities