Zero Waste Marin is administering a pilot mini-grant program that aims to provide support to businesses that need to comply with the edible food requirements included in SB 1383. If successful and if budget allows, this program could possibly expand in the future to help additional businesses.

Mini-Grant Amount: Up to $7,500.

Deadline: Mini grant applications will be reviewed as they are received, and funds will be available until the total mini grant allocation is spent down.

Requirements:

• Must be an edible food generator covered under the edible food donation requirements in SB 1383
• Must be located within Marin County

Rules for Expending Grant Funds:

Grant recipients will have the following options for spending grant funds:

• Order from Fishman Supply: Grant recipients can send links of items available on the Fishman Supply website to Zero Waste Marin staff for ordering. Zero Waste Marin staff will order the items (up to the maximum grant amount) and have them shipped to the business address provided. Items must be related to edible food recovery: e.g., kitchen food scales, storage solutions, etc.
• Food Waste Reduction Service: Grant recipients can opt to work with a service such as LeanPath or Copia that will help analyze the food waste generated at a business and provide suggestions for ways to reduce food waste. Zero Waste Marin will pay for the cost of this service, up to the maximum grant amount. Please note that eligible costs under this part of the mini grant would only be for a service that helps a business identify ways to reduce how much food is wasted through better ordering practices or food preparation etc. Costs associated with food pick-up and donation would not be eligible, as there are already free options for this service available in the County of Marin.
• Reimbursement: If the grant recipient does not wish to pursue either of the options above, Zero Waste Marin will reimburse expenses directly related to edible food recovery such as a refrigerator, refrigerated van, etc. The grantee will be responsible for providing an invoice of the related expense to Zero Waste Marin staff, who will then verify the invoice and reimburse the business up to the maximum grant amount.

How to apply:

Fill out the online form available here. If you need the questions in Spanish, please email Casey Fritz at CFritz@MarinCounty.org.

Learn more about SB1383 for Businesses.