Toronto Circular Food Innovators Fund ON Canada

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

grant_single_labels|summary

grant_single|eligibleFinancing
  • grant_single|fromMinToMax
  • grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
  • grant_single|timelineUnspecified
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
  • Accommodation and food services
grant_single|grantors
  • City of Toronto
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open

grant_single_labels|preview

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

There are several projects eligible for this grant, focused on implementing or enhancing reuse systems for food and beverage takeaway or delivery services.
  • Zero-waste Drink Service by ChocoSol Traders
  • Reusable Cups for Toronto Events by Circulr
  • Reusable Dishware Program at the Evergreen Farmers Market by Evergreen
  • Reverse Logistics Automation and Vision Board by Inwit Solutions Inc.
  • Market 707 Reuse Initiative by Scadding Court Community Centre
  • Reuse System for Takeaway Containers at Food Hall TO by Feed Scarborough
  • Enhancing Suppli’s Reuse Program by Suppli Sustainable Services Inc.
  • The Friendlier Eco Zone at Taste of Lawrence by Wexford Heights Business Improvement Area
  • Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose by York University

grant_single_labels|admissibility

To be eligible for this grant, applicants must fall within specific categories and meet certain conditions related to their business operations and project scope.
  • For-profit businesses, including business-to-business and business-to-consumer models
  • Registered charitable and not-for-profit organizations, including Business Improvement Areas and academic institutions
  • The applicant must be a business that provides at least one of the following services, or must be a Business Improvement Area or academic institution that is working with a business that provides at least one of the following services:
  • Food and beverage products for takeaway consumption, which may include food distributed by vendors at public markets and events
  • Food and beverage products for delivery, which may include catering services
  • Reuse system infrastructure for food businesses
  • Reuse systems involving dine-in consumption are not eligible for funding
  • The business must be a small business (i.e., less than 99 employees) (excluding academic institutions) and must be located within the boundaries of Toronto
  • Any services funded through the Fund must take place within the boundaries of Toronto, except for services being delivered by urban off-reserve Indigenous-led organizations which may provide culturally-based programming outside the boundaries of Toronto
  • The City encourages submissions from businesses owned by women, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples and people with disabilities

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

Yes, there are eligible types of companies for this grant. The eligible applicants include both for-profit small businesses and not-for-profit organizations within Toronto, focusing on food and beverage reuse systems for takeaway or delivery.
  • For-profit businesses, including business-to-business and business-to-consumer models
  • Registered charitable and not-for-profit organizations, including Business Improvement Areas and academic institutions
  • Businesses providing food and beverage products for takeaway consumption or delivery
  • Businesses providing reuse system infrastructure for food businesses
  • Small businesses with less than 99 employees (excluding academic institutions)

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

Companies that are not eligible for this grant include those that solely focus on dine-in consumption and those that do not meet the specific service criteria outlined in the eligibility requirements.
  • Companies that offer only dine-in consumption services
  • Businesses not providing food and beverage products for takeaway or delivery
  • Businesses not involved in reuse system infrastructure for food businesses

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

Eligible project costs for the Circular Food Innovators Fund include any expenses that directly contribute to the implementation or enhancement of a reuse system. These expenses should align with the City’s strategic priorities and the specific criteria outlined in the grant conditions.
  • Reusable foodservice ware
  • Collection bins
  • Cleaning facilities
  • Mobile applications to coordinate reverse logistics
  • Barcode tracking systems
  • Office space or equipment essential to the project

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

The eligible geographic zones for this grant are limited to businesses located within the boundaries of Toronto. Additionally, services funded through the grant must take place within the boundaries of Toronto, with an exception for urban off-reserve Indigenous-led organizations.
  • Businesses located within the boundaries of Toronto
  • Services delivered within the boundaries of Toronto, except for urban off-reserve Indigenous-led organizations

grant_single_labels|register

  • Step 1:Ensure your business qualifies as an eligible applicant (less than 99 employees, located within boundaries of Toronto, provides specified food and beverage services for takeaway or delivery).
  • Confirm participation from women, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, or people with disabilities, if applicable.
  • Step 2:Develop a clear project plan that either implements a new reuse system or demonstrably enhances an existing reuse system.
  • Ensure the proposed project is completed within one year and does not focus on research and development or prototyping.
  • If total project cost exceeds $35,000, secure confirmed sources of additional funding and provide this information with your application.
  • Step 3:Submit a detailed application demonstrating the project’s alignment with the City’s priorities, including proposals for promotions and partnerships.
  • For-profit businesses must showcase an ability to contribute at least 25% of the total project costs through financial or in-kind contributions.
  • Step 4:If successful, sign a Funding Agreement with the City of Toronto before receiving any funds.
  • Step 5:For not-for-profit applicants, receive 50% of the total grant upon signing the Funding Agreement.
  • For for-profit applicants, funding will be disbursed at the conclusion of the project upon submission and approval of the final report and receipts.
  • Step 6:Submit an interim report using the provided template to document progress and expenditures.
  • Step 7:Upon project completion, submit a final report and financial documentation using the provided templates to verify money spent on eligible costs.
  • For not-for-profit applicants, receive the remaining 50% of the grant after approval of the final report.

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