OC Waste & Recycling Announces $6M in Grant Funding for Edible Food Recovery

Up to $500,000 per grant available to support sustainable five-year programs in Orange County

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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OC Waste & Recycling (OCWR) is now accepting applications for a new Regional Recycling and Edible Food Recovery Grant program, which will provide up to $6 million in funding over the next three fiscal years to expand edible food recovery infrastructure and support statewide recycling and waste-reduction mandates in Orange County.

Why it matters

This grant program aims to strengthen partnerships between OCWR, Orange County Edible Food Recovery Organizations (EFROs), nonprofits, and other entities to increase the recovery of surplus edible food, reduce landfill disposal, and support compliance with California's SB 1383 mandate for edible food recovery.

The details

The grant program will provide individual awards up to $500,000 per project. Eligible projects may include new or expanded edible food recovery programs, cold storage and transportation infrastructure, data-tracking software, education and outreach, and supplies related to edible food recovery and distribution.

  • The application period opens on March 2, 2026 at 8 a.m.
  • A virtual Q&A meeting will be held on March 19, 2026 at 10 a.m. via Zoom.
  • The application submission deadline is April 10, 2026 at 4:59 p.m.

The players

OC Waste & Recycling (OCWR)

The county department that manages solid waste disposal, resource recovery, and recycling programs in Orange County, California.

Orange County Edible Food Recovery Organizations (EFROs)

Nonprofit organizations that work to recover surplus edible food for distribution to those in need.

Tom Koutroulis

The Director of OC Waste & Recycling.

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What they’re saying

“This grant program is an important investment in the partnerships necessary to recover more edible food and get it to the communities who need it most.”

— Tom Koutroulis, Director of OC Waste & Recycling

What’s next

Interested applicants are encouraged to visit www.OClandfills.com/grants for complete program details, eligibility requirements, application materials, virtual Q&A Zoom invitation, and submission instructions.

The takeaway

This grant program represents a significant investment by OC Waste & Recycling to expand edible food recovery infrastructure and support compliance with California's SB 1383 mandate, ultimately helping to reduce food waste and get more surplus food to those in need throughout Orange County.