DEPARTMENT: Environmental Resources
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Submit Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Application For Prevention Of Wasted Food And Food Rescue Grant Funds To Support Food Waste Reduction Program
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize submission of a $180,000 application to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) for Prevention of Wasted Food and Food Rescue grant funds to support implementation of the 2024-2044 Solid Waste Management Plan to prevent food waste.
SUMMARY
In Minnesota, metropolitan counties are responsible for waste management policy and programs to achieve state goals for waste management and that support the State Waste Management Hierarchy, with waste prevention being the most preferred waste management method (Minn. Stat. § 115A.551). By Resolution No. 25-456 (September 23, 2025), the County Board adopted the 2024-2044 Solid Waste Management Plan (Solid Waste Management Plan). The County’s plan incorporates the MPCA-mandated enhanced focus on waste prevention, including food waste prevention.
The MPCA has approximately $12.5 million available in Minnesota climate smart food systems (CSFS) Statewide prevention of wasted food and food rescue grant funding for projects that result in an increase in the amount of wasted food that is prevented or rescued for human consumption. The State grants were established with the purpose of keeping edible food out of the disposal system and conserving resources that went into producing food for human consumption. Grant funds may be used for new programs, staffing, or equipment/supplies for the prevention of wasted food and food rescue. Eligible projects include financial assistance programming focused on preventing wasted food or increasing food rescue. Political subdivisions of the state, including Dakota County, are eligible to receive this funding.
Staff proposes applying for this grant to support new programming to implement the Solid Waste Management Plan tactic 11a to “Provide support (e.g., funding, technical assistance) to organizations (e.g., food shelves, restaurants, grocery stores, schools) to improve the safe storage and transportation of surplus edible food.” If awarded, MPCA grant funds will be used to implement a food waste reduction program that provides funding assistance to organizations in Dakota County to address collection, transportation, and safe storage barriers and that keeps edible food out of the disposal system and increases rescue of wasted edible food for distribution to people in need.
The required 20 percent grant match will be achieved through in-kind staff time; therefore, additional funding from Dakota County is not anticipated. The application deadline is April 28, 2026. Grant awards are anticipated July 2026. Grant projects must be completed by September 2029.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends the County Board authorize staff to submit a $180,000 Statewide Prevention of Wasted Food and Food Rescue CSFS grant application to the MPCA to support implementation of new food waste prevention programming in the Solid Waste Management Plan.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
The 20 percent required county grant match will be covered by in-kind staff time. County funds for program implementation are not requested. If the County is awarded the grant, the funding will be included in the 2027 Environmental Resources Department Operations budget.
☐ None ☒ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
body
WHEREAS, in Minnesota, metropolitan counties are responsible for waste management policy and programs to achieve state goals for waste management and that support the State Waste Management Hierarchy, with waste prevention being the most preferred waste management method (Minn. Stat. § 115A.551); and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 25-456 (September 23, 2025), the County Board adopted the 2024-2044 Solid Waste Management Plan (Solid Waste Management Plan), which incorporates Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA)-mandated enhanced focus on waste prevention, including food waste prevention; and
WHEREAS, the MPCA has Statewide Prevention of Wasted Food and Food Rescue Minnesota climate smart food systems (CSFS) grant funding available for projects that result in an increase in the amount of wasted food that is prevented or rescued for human consumption; and
WHEREAS, the State grants were established with the purpose of keeping edible food out of the disposal system and conserving resources that went into producing food for human consumption; and
WHEREAS, political subdivisions of the state, including Dakota County, are eligible to receive this funding; and
WHEREAS, this grant request supports implementation of the Solid Waste Management Plan tactic 11a to “Provide support (e.g., funding, technical assistance) to organizations (e.g., food shelves, restaurants, grocery stores, schools) to improve the safe storage and transportation of surplus edible food”; and
WHEREAS, the required 20 percent county grant match will be achieved through in-kind staff time; and
WHEREAS, the grant application deadline is April 28, 2026, and the grant expiration date is September 2029.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes staff to submit a Statewide Prevention of Wasted Food and Food Rescue grant application to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for an amount up to $180,000.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
25-456; 9/23/25
ATTACHMENTS
None.
BOARD GOALS
☒ Thriving People ☒ A Healthy Environment with Quality Natural Resources
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☐ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACT
Department Head: Nikki Stewart
Author: Renee Burman