DEPARTMENT: Environmental Resources
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
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Authorization To Implement 2026-2027 Pilot Grant Program For Farmers Market Food Rescue
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize the implementation of a 2026-2027 Pilot Grant Program for a Farmers Market Food Rescue to recover unsold edible produce from farmers markets for distribution to Dakota County food shelves.
SUMMARY
In Minnesota, metropolitan counties are responsible for waste management policy and programs to achieve state goals for waste management (Minn. Stat. ? 115A.551) and support the State Waste Management Hierarchy, with waste prevention being the most preferred waste management method (Minn. Stat. ? 115A.551) because it has the greatest environmental benefit for managing waste. Food waste prevention has the greatest benefit for managing organics. The Environmental Protection Agency's Waste Reduction Model calculates that preventing one ton of food waste results in 20 times fewer greenhouse gas equivalents than composting one ton of food waste.
By Resolution No. 25-456 (September 23, 2025), the County Board adopted the 2024-2044 Dakota County Solid Waste Management Plan (Solid Waste Management Plan). The County's plan incorporates the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA)-mandated enhanced focus on waste prevention, including food waste prevention. Staff proposes developing and piloting a Farmers Market Food Rescue Grant Program (Grant Program) to support implementation of Solid Waste Management Plan strategy 11a: "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." Seasonal farmers markets operate in Dakota County where vendors provide direct sale of produce to residents. Many vendors participate in multiple markets during the week to sell as much of their produce as possible. Some fresh produce will spoil before it i...
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