In this grant round, the MPCA has approximately $4.5 million available to support prevention of wasted food and food rescue projects across the state.
Organics make up about one third of the municipal waste stream in Minnesota. In line with the waste hierarchy, it is first preferable to prevent wasted food, followed by donating food to people. For this reason, this grant focuses specifically on prevention of wasted food and food rescue.
Applications must be received no later than 4 p.m. on May 2, 2024.
Questions and answers
Submit questions about this grant to grants.pca@state.mn.us with the subject line “FY24 Statewide Prevention of Wasted Food and Food Rescue Grants” no later than 4 p.m. on April 25, 2024.
MPCA employees cannot answer questions about this grant opportunity, and direct contact regarding this RFP with any MPCA personnel may result in disqualification.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants include entities that are serving Minnesota communities or have operations in Minnesota, such as not-for-profit organizations, businesses, institutions, political subdivisions of the state (including counties, cities, towns, etc.), State agencies, and tribal governments. Multi-organizational collaboration is encouraged.
Funds may be used for programs, staffing, or equipment/supplies for prevention of wasted food and food rescue. Funds must be used for food waste prevention and food rescue only.
Available funds
Total available funds: $4.5 million
- Minimum award: $75,000 (Applicants asking for less than the minimum grant award will be deemed ineligible.)
- Maximum award: $1 million
- Match: Applicants must match at least 25% of the grant request.
How to apply
The request for proposal (RFP) and application materials can only be viewed through the online SWIFT portal. The RFP is termed an “Event” within the SWIFT system.
- Go to the online SWIFT portal.
- Click on "Bidding opportunities".
- Find the event by name (MPCA-Prevention of Wasted Food and Food Rescue) or ID (2000015499).
- Click "View Bid Package" to see the RFP and forms. (There’s no need to log in to see the documents.)
Grant applications are only accepted through the SWIFT portal.
- Register as a bidder in the SWIFT Supplier Portal, (Bidding = "applying")
- Choose "Register for an Account" and then "Register as a Bidder".
If you are already registered in the SWIFT system as a supplier (previously known as a vendor), use your supplier ID. Visit the SWIFT Supplier Portal under “Informational Tips” and “Supplier Portal Help” for more information. For questions about applying through SWIFT, please contact the Vendor Assistance Help Desk at 651-201-8100, option 1.
More information
Growing, raising, processing, and delivering food uses resources such as water, land, fuel, packaging materials, and more. These processes also contribute to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. When food spoils or is thrown away before we eat it, the resources that went into creating the food are wasted. The food takes up space in landfills and releases greenhouse gases as it decomposes, rather than nourishing people or helping alleviate food insecurity. The majority of the food Minnesotans throw out — about 62% — could have been eaten or donated, according to an MPCA-commissioned study of solid waste in 2019 and 2020. Preventing wasted food has positive economic, environmental, and social impact.