Statewide - Grants for Equipment at Emergency Food Relief Organizations to Reduce Wasted Food Through Increased Donation

Public Notice

Notice of Availability of State Funds

Grants for Equipment at Emergency Food Relief Organizations to Reduce Wasted Food Through Increased Donation

Approximately $1,250,000 has been included in the 2024/2025 State budget from the Environmental Protection Fund for one-time funding intended to assist emergency food relief organizations to increase the amount of wholesome food available to those in need through the purchase of transportation, cooling, emergency power generators, and related equipment.

(Note: This grant program is being issued in conjunction with a similar $1,250,000 program for municipalities. The total amount available for both programs is $2,500,000. If one program has excess funds after the funding time frame, those funds may be transferred to the other program.)

Eligible Applicants:

501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporations whose projects include providing wholesome food to those in need, either directly or indirectly. Note: Food Banks are ineligible for this grant program since NYS DEC already has a contract in place to fund activities at the Food Banks.

Description of Eligible Projects:

These grants can partially reimburse actual expenses incurred during a contract term of up to three years beginning Feb. 1, 2025. Eligible project expenditures include equipment to aid in emergency food relief including transportation (trucks, refrigerated vehicles, and related equipment used in the transport of food), cooling equipment and related installation costs, and emergency power generators dedicated to preserving food for donation (generators limited to $25,000 of reimbursement). This program provides 75% reimbursement to non-profits, with reimbursement limited to a minimum of $500 to a maximum of $100,000 awarded per project.

Applications are being accepted now. Final applications are due by 3:00 p.m. EST, January 31, 2025.

If there is any funding remaining after all timely and eligible applications are approved, the remaining funds can be made available by NYS DEC for a similar grant program for municipalities, until funds are exhausted.

Applications:

Applications must be submitted through the NYS SFS Grants Management System. The NYS SFS Grants Management system offers a Vendor User Manual, training videos and webinars for applicants requiring assistance. Please visit https://grantsmanagement.ny.gov/transition-SFS.