Toronto Circular Food Innovators Fund
Toronto, ON, Canada
Empower small businesses to implement zero-waste, reusable foodservice systems that drive Toronto towards a circular economy
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- grant_single|timelineUnspecified
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Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Accommodation and food services
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- City of Toronto
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grant_card_status|open
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The Circular Food Innovators Fund aims to support small businesses in Toronto implementing reuse systems to replace single-use and takeaway items with reusable foodservice ware. Eligible projects must involve food or beverage products for takeaway or delivery, focusing on innovative solutions, collaboration, community benefits, and sustainment plans.
grant_single_labels|projects
The Circular Food Innovators Fund is available to companies located within specific geographical boundaries set by the funding body. The eligibility is focused on ensuring projects benefit the designated region.
- Businesses located within the boundaries of Toronto, Canada.
- Services by urban off-reserve Indigenous-led organizations may extend outside the boundaries of Toronto, provided they offer culturally-based programming.
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's profile and proposed activities.
- The applicant can be a for-profit business, registered charitable, or not-for-profit organization, including Business Improvement Areas and academic institutions.
- The applicant must be a business providing food and beverage products for takeaway or delivery, or involved in reuse system infrastructure for food businesses.
- The applicant must not be providing services exclusively for dine-in consumption.
- The business must be a small business with less than 99 employees, excluding academic institutions, and located within the boundaries of Toronto.
- Projects must take place within the boundaries of Toronto, except for urban off-reserve Indigenous-led organizations which may operate outside Toronto.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Eligible applicants include for-profit businesses, not-for-profit organizations, registered charities, Business Improvement Areas, and academic institutions located within Toronto. These applicants must provide food and beverage products for takeaway or delivery or offer reuse system infrastructure for food businesses. The business must be a small business with fewer than 99 employees, and all services funded through the grant must occur within Toronto's boundaries, except for urban off-reserve Indigenous-led organizations offering culturally-based programming outside Toronto. Preference is given to businesses owned by women, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, and people with disabilities.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
This grant excludes certain companies and industries that do not align with its core objectives of implementing reusable systems for takeaway consumption. Key restrictions focus on service type and business location.
- Businesses that propose reuse systems exclusively for dine-in consumption.
- Businesses operating outside the boundaries of Toronto, except certain Indigenous-led organizations.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
This grant aims to bolster circular economy initiatives in Toronto by supporting projects that implement or enhance reuse systems for takeaway food and beverages. The eligible projects focus on creating sustainable foodservice models and mitigating the use of single-use items.
- Implementation of a reuse system for food and beverage takeaway products distributed by vendors at public markets and events.
- Creation or enhancement of reusable foodservice ware systems for delivery or takeaway consumption.
- Deployment of market-ready reuse solutions, excluding dine-in reuse systems.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
This grant covers expenses directly supporting the implementation and enhancement of reuse systems for foodservice ware.
- Purchase of reusable foodservice ware such as plates, bowls, cups, trays, and utensils.
- Infrastructure development, including collection bins and cleaning facilities essential for the reuse system.
- Technology implementation, such as mobile applications or barcode tracking systems for coordinating reverse logistics.
- Costs associated with optimizing logistics and distribution networks for reusable containers.
- Transportation upgrades, including environmentally friendly delivery methods like cargo bikes.
- Marketing and promotional activities to encourage participation in the reuse system.
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to submit an application for the Circular Food Innovators Fund:
- Step 1: Verify Eligibility
- Ensure your organization is a for-profit or not-for-profit entity with 99 or fewer employees.
- Confirm that your business is located within Toronto and your project meets the eligible project criteria.
- Step 2: Assemble Project Proposal
- Prepare a comprehensive description of your proposed or enhanced reuse system project.
- Include information on how the project aligns with Toronto’s circular economy transformation goals.
- If applicable, outline other confirmed sources of funding.
- Step 3: Budget Preparation
- Develop a detailed project budget.
- For for-profit applicants, demonstrate the ability to contribute at least 25% of project costs.
- Include any in-kind contributions and ensure they are essential to the project.
- Step 4: Complete Application Form
- Fill out the application form provided by the City of Toronto, ensuring all sections are completed accurately.
- Step 5: Application Submission
- Submit the completed application form and any additional required documents to the City.
- Ensure submission is done before the application deadline.
- Step 6: Await Review and Feedback
- Wait for application review by the City of Toronto.
- You may be contacted for additional information or clarification.
- Step 7: Funding Agreement
- If approved, sign a Funding Agreement with the City of Toronto to formalize the grant approval.
- Step 8: Reporting and Receipts Submission
- Upon completion of the project, submit a final report using the provided templates.
- Include receipts and documents verifying project expenditures.
- Submit interim and final reports by prescribed deadlines.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
The Circular Food Innovators Fund emphasizes the transition toward zero waste and circular economy models in Toronto's food system through the implementation of innovative reuse systems. The fund focuses on businesses providing food and beverage products for takeaway or delivery and supports both for-profit and not-for-profit entities.
- Projects must be completed within one year.
- Grant amounts range from $5,000 to $35,000, with a total available fund of $250,000.
- For-profit applicants must cover at least 25% of project costs through financial or in-kind contributions.
- Not-for-profit applicants can receive up to 100% of project costs, with initial and final grants disbursed based on project stages.
- Eligible projects must implement a new reuse system or enhance an existing one and cannot involve R&D or prototyping.
- Projects focusing exclusively on dine-in consumption are not eligible.
- Priority is given to projects that are innovative, involve multiple organizations, deliver additional community benefits, include sustainment plans, and have a well-defined promotional approach.
- Eligible entities include small businesses, registered charities, not-for-profits, Business Improvement Areas, and academic institutions located in Toronto.
- Projects must take place within Toronto, with some exceptions for urban off-reserve Indigenous-led organizations.
- Recipients must submit interim and final reports with financial documentation to verify expenditures.
Apply to this program
Empowering Sustainable Food Systems in Toronto
The Circular Food Innovators Fund aims to support small businesses in Toronto to implement innovative reuse systems that aid in reducing single-use items in the circular food ecosystem. Developed to drive the transformation towards zero-waste business models, this fund fosters the creation and enhancement of systems that revolutionize the food and beverage industry by integrating reusable foodservice ware.
Understanding the Circular Food Innovators Fund: A Drive Toward Zero Waste
The Circular Food Innovators Fund, recently launched in February 2024, offers a pivotal opportunity for both for-profit and non-profit small businesses to partake in this green revolution by deploying or enhancing reuse systems. These systems, often employing durable materials designed for repeated use, involve processes for collection, cleaning, and redistribution of reusable items such as cups, bowls, and trays, significantly reducing the dependency on single-use, disposable counterparts.
One key aspect of this fund is its strategic alignment with the City of Toronto’s goal to curtail the use of single-use foodservice products, thereby driving forward a more sustainable, circular economy. The fund acknowledges the intricate nature of converting traditional business models to zero-waste alternatives, offering flexible funding options to help facilitate this transition. Grants awarded under this fund can significantly aid businesses in building the necessary infrastructure, technology, and logistics required for the effective operation of these reuse systems.
The fund’s beneficiaries reflect an inspiring cross-section of Toronto's entrepreneurial spirit, from ChocoSol Traders enhancing their zero-waste drink service to York University integrating reusable container systems on campus. This diversity underlines the fund's reach across various sectors—from educational institutions aiming for sustainability to community centers championing local initiatives. Notably, the Scadding Court Community Centre’s Market 707 Reuse Initiative exemplifies the fund's role in empowering community-driven efforts to solve waste problems at the grassroots level.
To ensure projects aligned with its standards are funded, the Circular Food Innovators Fund requires applicants to meet rigorous criteria that underscore their commitment to the reuse system’s sustainability and feasibility. This thorough vetting process not only supports well-developed proposals but also encourages a detailed sustainment plan, assuring the longevity of projects post-funding phase. Furthermore, projects must substantiate their impact through comprehensive reporting, offering transparency and accountability for the funds utilized.
The fund stands as a testament to Toronto’s commitment to fostering a circular economy through practical, innovative solutions that enable businesses to prosper while mitigating their environmental footprint. By integrating reusable resources into operational models, Toronto is on an ambitious trajectory to eliminate single-use items, catalyzing a region-wide transformation towards more sustainable consumption patterns.
This funding initiative is not just a financial endorsement but a collaborative endorsement of eco-friendly practices, rewarding projects that showcase innovation, community collaboration, and measurable impact within and beyond their immediate locales. These projects embody a shift towards sustainable development goals, playing a crucial role in reimagining urban food systems amidst broader environmental, social, and economic considerations.
Ultimately, the Circular Food Innovators Fund is more than a grant—it's a catalyst driving the circular economy forward in Toronto, bridging business innovation with environmental stewardship to achieve a zero-waste future. By empowering small businesses to lead through sustainable practices, Toronto is setting a precedent for urban environmental resilience and an exemplary framework for other cities aspiring towards similar ecological goals.
