NOW OPEN: COMmunity college food recovery grant APPlication

Join our network of over 8,000+ college students, food suppliers, farmers, and local businesses across the U.S. in the fight against climate change and hunger by recovering surplus food.

To help expand FRN’s presence in community colleges nationwide, FRN is entering the second year of our community college grant program to help establish food recovery programs at community colleges across the U.S. Community Colleges will be selected to receive one year of technical and financial assistance to set up food recovery programs on their campus to begin the Fall of 2025. The grant recipients will also be awarded recognition and serve as models for how community colleges can play a vital role in helping feed community members in need. Read about our 2024 Cohort.

All applications must be received by April 30, 2025 at midnight ET.

All applicants will be notified by May 31, 2025.

community college food recovery cohort details

In order to receive funding, each community college will need one person who will be responsible for implementing this program and liaising directly with FRN.

For this grant, FRN national staff will:

  • Provide daily management of all project logistics, including onboarding of partners 

  • Coordinate the purchase or donation of all relevant materials, including packaging, transportation, and all other logistics 

  • Administer all aspects of work, including providing supplies, marketing, and staff and volunteers 

  • Serve as liaison between food donation partners to ensure fair negotiation of cost and labor is accounted for in work

  • Serve as liaison between community partners

  • Share public learnings and data with project partners and our network of stakeholders 

  • Recognize and promote partners and work on social media and to our network of stakeholders

  • Train relevant local food business professionals and school cafeteria staff on how to safely conduct food recoveries over the long term (as needed)

  • Make direct connections with FRN alumni and students at local colleges and universities to support project efforts (as needed)

This point of contact will: 

  • Promote the program to the school community via flyers, emails, or whichever other communication channels are most appropriate 

  • Support in coordinating food recovery program logistics, including securing the most appropriate physical space (as needed) 

  • Help determine the pace, frequency, etc. of recovery efforts

  • Gather feedback on program from students and families to ensure we’re meeting the needs of the community 

  • Provide relevant school data, such as number of students, to help better guide our work

  • Help facilitate connections with local partners to help onboard pilots and achieve our desired outcomes