Montgomery County Health and Human Services is excited to announce a mini-grant program for food recovery. Applications for FY14 funding can be requested fromfood.recovery@montgomerycountymd.gov and are due Tuesday, December 3, 2013.
There are two pre-application workshops available for interested parties. Please RSVP (to food.recovery@montgomerycountymd.gov ) for the workshop you plan to attend to ensure your spot!
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
10:30 am at
Licensure and Regulatory Services
Montgomery County Dept. of Health and Human Services ?
255 Rockville Pike, 1st Floor ?
Rockville, Md. 20850
OR
Monday, November 18, 2013
7:00 pm at
Silver Spring Civic Building
and Government Center
Veterans' Plaza
One Veteran's Place
Silver Spring, MD 20910
We look forward to building on the momentum and recommendations from the Food Recovery Work Group. More information is below.
Thank you,
Melanie Coffin
********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Background
Food recovery is the practice of safely retrieving edible food that would otherwise go to waste, and distributing it to those in need.
The recovered food is edible, but often not saleable. Products that are at or past their "sell by" dates or are imperfect in any way - a bruised apple or day-old bread - are donated by grocery stores, food vendors, restaurants, and farmers markets. Other times, the food is unblemished, but restaurants may have made or ordered too much, or may have edible pieces of food that are byproducts of process of preparing foods to cook and serve. In addition, food manufacturers may donate product that marginally fails quality control or that has become short-dated.
According to several studies, Americans waste more than 40% of the food produced for consumption, which comes at an annual cost of at least $100 billion. Meanwhile, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, around 14 percent of American households do not get enough food to live active, healthy lifestyles.
Organizations that encourage food recovery, food rescue, sharing, gleaning, and similar waste-avoidance schemes come under the umbrella of food banks, food pantries, soup kitchens, and the like.
In FY14, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has funding to further the efforts of the Food Recovery Work Group. The Food Recovery Work Group is attempting to develop a sustainable distribution network of entities with excess food (restaurants, caterers, universities, special events) and connecting them with entities that provide food to those in need. A portion of the funding has been allocated to assist in creating or advancing the network through small grants to organizations that support and enhance the capabilities of a number of qualified entities currently engaged in food recovery activities.
********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How can I apply??
A: An official application can be requested by emailing food.recovery@montgomerycountymd.gov
Q: What is the application deadline??
A: Application deadline is Tuesday, December 3, 2013 at 4 pm. Applications can be emailed to food.recovery@montgomerycounymd.gov (email confirmations will verify receipt of application) or submitted in person at
Licensure and Regulatory Services
Montgomery County Dept. of Health and Human Services ?
255 Rockville Pike, 1st Floor ?
Rockville, Md. 20850
Q: What are the eligibly requirements??
A: Grants will be provided to organizations involved in food recovery within Montgomery County. It must be very clear how the proposal will start, advance, or enhance food recovery for the community.
Any organization, institution or association that provides services or activities within the county is eligible to apply. Grants will be awarded for projects in Montgomery County only. Organization headquarters can be outside of Montgomery County as long as the organization demonstrates that the activities and services supported by grant funds benefit Montgomery County residents.
Q: What kinds of expenses are eligible through this grant?
A: Any goods and/or services that start, enhance, or advance food recovery or a food recovery network within the County are eligible. It must be very clear how the purchase or expense relates to food recovery.
The program will NOT fund:
1. Projects that have an existing deficit from a previous year or a previous project.
2. Organizations that received previous awards, and did not comply with the terms of the award, including submission of project reports and/or participation in a monitoring visit.
3. Projects that will require more than a one-time grant award.
4. Purchases that occur before the start or after the close of the granting period.
5. Replacement of lost and/or reduced Federal, State, United Way or other funding.
6. Organizations that have an outstanding contractual obligation with the Department and/or the County.
Q: How much can an organization request in an application??
A: Organizations can apply for grants from $500-$9,999. Please note that these are one-time awards and must show desired effect to a food recovery network within the granting period.
Q: Can an organization submit multiple grant requests?
A: No. An organization may submit only one application per grant period and per organization. Only one group or organization may apply per year, including different branches, divisions, locations and/or units of same organization.
Q: How are decisions made?
A: All applications will be subject to an initial review, including:
1. Completeness of application.
2. Legibility and clarity.
3. Compliance with applicable guidelines, including the one-time only nature of the project.
4. Fiscal accuracy.
Incomplete applications will be returned to the applicant without consideration.
A panel consisting of both public and private entities will then review applications for their effect in creating, advancing, and/or enhancing food recovery or a food recovery network within Montgomery County. Applications will be evaluated based on their level of impact, ability to complete the desired outcomes, and the ratio of investment to impact. Organizations that show coordination, collaboration, and/or leverage of other resources will be more competitive.
Q: When are the funds available?
A: HHS will notify awardees in writing 4-6 weeks after the application deadline. NOTE: There may be additional requirements post application such as a HACPP plan for food safety or proof of Food Service Manager certification. Once notified by HHS, an organization may move forward immediately with approved purchases. All purchases must be completed no later than June 30, 2014.
Q: What if I need to make changes to the application after I have completed the on-line application??
A: Please e-mail changes such as the grant purpose, grant amount requested, or contact information, to food.recovery@montgomerycountymd.gov
Q: Who can I reach out to if I have questions??
A: Please direct all questions to food.recovery@montgomerycountymd.gov
There are two pre-application workshops available for interested parties. Please RSVP (to food.recovery@montgomerycountymd.gov ) for the workshop you plan to attend to ensure your spot!
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
10:30 am at
Licensure and Regulatory Services
Montgomery County Dept. of Health and Human Services ?
255 Rockville Pike, 1st Floor ?
Rockville, Md. 20850
OR
Monday, November 18, 2013
7:00 pm at
Silver Spring Civic Building
and Government Center
Veterans' Plaza
One Veteran's Place
Silver Spring, MD 20910
We look forward to building on the momentum and recommendations from the Food Recovery Work Group. More information is below.
Thank you,
Melanie Coffin
********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Background
Food recovery is the practice of safely retrieving edible food that would otherwise go to waste, and distributing it to those in need.
The recovered food is edible, but often not saleable. Products that are at or past their "sell by" dates or are imperfect in any way - a bruised apple or day-old bread - are donated by grocery stores, food vendors, restaurants, and farmers markets. Other times, the food is unblemished, but restaurants may have made or ordered too much, or may have edible pieces of food that are byproducts of process of preparing foods to cook and serve. In addition, food manufacturers may donate product that marginally fails quality control or that has become short-dated.
According to several studies, Americans waste more than 40% of the food produced for consumption, which comes at an annual cost of at least $100 billion. Meanwhile, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, around 14 percent of American households do not get enough food to live active, healthy lifestyles.
Organizations that encourage food recovery, food rescue, sharing, gleaning, and similar waste-avoidance schemes come under the umbrella of food banks, food pantries, soup kitchens, and the like.
In FY14, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has funding to further the efforts of the Food Recovery Work Group. The Food Recovery Work Group is attempting to develop a sustainable distribution network of entities with excess food (restaurants, caterers, universities, special events) and connecting them with entities that provide food to those in need. A portion of the funding has been allocated to assist in creating or advancing the network through small grants to organizations that support and enhance the capabilities of a number of qualified entities currently engaged in food recovery activities.
********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How can I apply??
A: An official application can be requested by emailing food.recovery@montgomerycountymd.gov
Q: What is the application deadline??
A: Application deadline is Tuesday, December 3, 2013 at 4 pm. Applications can be emailed to food.recovery@montgomerycounymd.gov (email confirmations will verify receipt of application) or submitted in person at
Licensure and Regulatory Services
Montgomery County Dept. of Health and Human Services ?
255 Rockville Pike, 1st Floor ?
Rockville, Md. 20850
Q: What are the eligibly requirements??
A: Grants will be provided to organizations involved in food recovery within Montgomery County. It must be very clear how the proposal will start, advance, or enhance food recovery for the community.
Any organization, institution or association that provides services or activities within the county is eligible to apply. Grants will be awarded for projects in Montgomery County only. Organization headquarters can be outside of Montgomery County as long as the organization demonstrates that the activities and services supported by grant funds benefit Montgomery County residents.
Q: What kinds of expenses are eligible through this grant?
A: Any goods and/or services that start, enhance, or advance food recovery or a food recovery network within the County are eligible. It must be very clear how the purchase or expense relates to food recovery.
The program will NOT fund:
1. Projects that have an existing deficit from a previous year or a previous project.
2. Organizations that received previous awards, and did not comply with the terms of the award, including submission of project reports and/or participation in a monitoring visit.
3. Projects that will require more than a one-time grant award.
4. Purchases that occur before the start or after the close of the granting period.
5. Replacement of lost and/or reduced Federal, State, United Way or other funding.
6. Organizations that have an outstanding contractual obligation with the Department and/or the County.
Q: How much can an organization request in an application??
A: Organizations can apply for grants from $500-$9,999. Please note that these are one-time awards and must show desired effect to a food recovery network within the granting period.
Q: Can an organization submit multiple grant requests?
A: No. An organization may submit only one application per grant period and per organization. Only one group or organization may apply per year, including different branches, divisions, locations and/or units of same organization.
Q: How are decisions made?
A: All applications will be subject to an initial review, including:
1. Completeness of application.
2. Legibility and clarity.
3. Compliance with applicable guidelines, including the one-time only nature of the project.
4. Fiscal accuracy.
Incomplete applications will be returned to the applicant without consideration.
A panel consisting of both public and private entities will then review applications for their effect in creating, advancing, and/or enhancing food recovery or a food recovery network within Montgomery County. Applications will be evaluated based on their level of impact, ability to complete the desired outcomes, and the ratio of investment to impact. Organizations that show coordination, collaboration, and/or leverage of other resources will be more competitive.
Q: When are the funds available?
A: HHS will notify awardees in writing 4-6 weeks after the application deadline. NOTE: There may be additional requirements post application such as a HACPP plan for food safety or proof of Food Service Manager certification. Once notified by HHS, an organization may move forward immediately with approved purchases. All purchases must be completed no later than June 30, 2014.
Q: What if I need to make changes to the application after I have completed the on-line application??
A: Please e-mail changes such as the grant purpose, grant amount requested, or contact information, to food.recovery@montgomerycountymd.gov
Q: Who can I reach out to if I have questions??
A: Please direct all questions to food.recovery@montgomerycountymd.gov
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