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|terms_and_conditions
The Toronto Circular Food Innovators Fund provides specific funding modalities to cater to the varied needs of recipients, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and effective resource distribution. Different conditions apply to for-profit and not-for-profit applicants, reflecting their financial structures and project requirements.
- Grant funding requests are considered starting at $5,000 and up to a maximum of $35,000 with a total fund budget of $250,000 for Phase One.
- For-profit applicants can be funded for up to 75% of total project costs, with the remaining 25% covered by financial and/or eligible in-kind contributions.
- Not-for-profit applicants may receive up to 100% of total project costs to a maximum of $35,000.
- For for-profit entities, funding is disbursed at the project's conclusion, contingent upon final report submission and expenditure verification.
- Not-for-profit recipients receive 50% of the grant upfront following a signed funding agreement; the remaining is disbursed upon project completion and report acceptance.
- Where project costs exceed $35,000, applicants must demonstrate and confirm other funding sources secured during the application.
- The grant supports one-time, project-specific funding, and is not intended as an ongoing funding source.
grant_single_labels|projects
This fund supports projects that implement or enhance reusable systems in food and beverage sectors, aiming to reduce single-use items and promote sustainability. Eligible activities are those that deploy market-ready solutions to encourage material reuse and reduce waste within Toronto.
- Implementation of new reusable systems for food and beverage takeaway packaging.
- Enhancement of existing reusable systems to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
- Development of infrastructure supporting the collection, cleaning, and redistribution of reusable foodservice ware.
- Deployment of logistics and technology solutions such as apps or tracking systems for reusable items.
- Initiatives involving multiple organizations working together to deliver community benefits related to food system sustainability.
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 is available to companies located within the boundaries of Toronto. The eligible areas ensure that funded projects contribute directly to the city's circular economy transformation.
- Businesses and projects situated within Toronto.
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.
