Food insecurity affects 1 in 8 people in the United States. These organizations are actively pursuing to end hunger in Monterey County, while recovering some of the large amounts of edible food that is thrown away each year. Consider donating to these organizations below and reach out for opportunities on how you can help end hunger.
Local Food Recovery Organizations
Download contact information for all organizations currently accepting food donations.
Funding for Edible Food Recovery Organizations
One in four people in Monterey County are hungry; the network of food pantries and food rescue organizations that serve those most vulnerable residents are mainly non-profits that rely on donations and volunteers.
As food insecurity has no boundaries, all jurisdictions in Monterey County are working collaboratively to contribute this grant. This annual funding opportunity intends to award a total of up to $100,000 to non-profit organizations, businesses, or public entities that collect, generate, and distribute food to those in need within the County.
The next funding cycle will be announced in Summer 2023.
2023-2024 Grant Funding is Now Available!
ReGen Monterey and Salinas Valley Recycles are excited to announce the renewal of their Edible Food Recovery Grant Program. The SB 1383 Edible Food Recovery Program – Grant Funding Opportunity, FY 23-24 intends to award a total of up to $90,000 to non-profit organizations, businesses, or public entities that collect, generate, and distribute food to those in need within the County of Monterey.
This funding opportunity is intended to support California Senate Bill 1383 – Short Lived Climate Pollutants, which mandates a 75% reduction in landfilled organic waste and a minimum of 20% of currently disposed food recovered for human consumption. Ultimately, we aim to reduce the amount of edible food that ends up in landfills while redirecting that food for the good of our local communities. Our agencies cannot wait to see the good generated from this funding, and we look forward to reading through the community’s submissions.
Application Period: August 8, 2023 – October 31, 2023 (10/31/2023)
To Apply: Find the attached application, along with an in-depth description of the purpose for this grant opportunity.
For questions, please contact: katy@bluestrikeenvironmental.com
2022-2023 Food Recovery Grant Awards
The current Edible Food Recovery Grant cycle awarded a total of approximately $76,000 to five local feeding organizations.
Congratulations to the following organizations and thank you for making a difference in the community:
- Boys & Girls Club of Monterey County,
- Salvation Army of Salinas
- Salvation Army of Monterey Peninsula
- Salvation Army of Monterey County
- St. George’s Episcopal Church in Salinas
Pilot Food Recovery Grant Awards - 2022
The first five recipients of the new pilot grant awards were announced June 16, 2022. The pilot grant program was developed by the Edible Food Recovery (EFR) Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), a subcommittee of the larger SB 1383 TAC. The EFR TAC was created the grant program to begin increasing the local capacity for food recovery organizations to be able to accept, collect, store and distribute more food.
A total of 13 applications were received totaling over $202,000 in requested funding. The top five highest scored applications awarded are local feeding organizations throughout Monterey County and each will receive $20,000.
Congratulations to the following organizations and thank you for making a difference in the community:
- PV Loaves & Fishes, serving the North Monterey County area
- Dorothy’s Place, which serving the Salinas area
- Meals On Wheels of Salinas Valley, serving the entire Salinas Valley
- Victory Mission, serving Salinas and Peninsula Cities
- Shoreline Church, serving all of Monterey County and its cities
The grant is intended to expand and enhance edible food recovery programs at food rescue organizations and services operating within the region to better accommodate state mandates and broaden community operations by:
- Increasing the capacity of local food rescue organizations and services operating within the County;
- Assisting in funding the purchase of equipment (i.e., commercial refrigerators and freezers), materials, and supplies that increase the total pounds of edible food an organization is able to recover and distribute to those in need;
- Improving the region’s ability to respond to and comply with SB 1383 mandates, enabling businesses to donate the maximum amount of edible or prepared food that would otherwise be disposed of; and
- Ensuring food safety as edible food recovery donations increase.
