How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 75% of admissible expenses, capped at $35000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Who are the financial supporters of the Toronto Circular Food Innovators Fund?

Toronto Circular Food Innovators Fund is funded by City of Toronto

What are Toronto Circular Food Innovators Fund's eligibility criterias?

Must be a for-profit small business with less than 99 employees located in Toronto Must provide food and beverage products for takeaway or delivery, or reuse system infrastructure for food businesses Services funded must take place within Toronto

Toronto Circular Food Innovators Fund

Last Update: July 22, 2025

Toronto, ON

Supports Toronto businesses in implementing reusable foodservice systems

Toronto Circular Food Innovators Fund at a glance

Eligible Funding

From $5,000 to $35,000
Up to 75% of project cost

Timeline

Continuous Intakes

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Accommodation and food services

Grant Providers

City of Toronto

Status

Open

Overview of the Toronto Circular Food Innovators Fund program

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.

Financing terms and conditions

Grant funding is available from $5,000 up to a maximum of $35,000 per project.
For-profit applicants may receive up to 75% of total project costs, with a maximum grant of $35,000, and must contribute at least 25% via financial and/or essential in-kind support.
Not-for-profit applicants may receive up to 100% of total project costs, up to a maximum of $35,000.
Total funding available in Phase One of the Fund is $250,000.
For not-for-profits, 50% of the grant is disbursed at project outset (with a signed agreement), and the remaining 50% upon successful submission of final documentation; for for-profits, funding is released after project completion and acceptance of the final report.

Eligible projects & activities

Implementation of new reuse systems for takeaway or delivery food and beverage services.
Enhancement of existing reuse systems for food and beverage items, including expansion or improvement of current operations.
Deployment of market-ready solutions to replace single-use and takeaway food service ware with durable, reusable alternatives.

Eligibility criteria of the Toronto Circular Food Innovators Fund program

The applicant must be a for-profit small business (fewer than 99 employees), a registered charitable or not-for-profit organization, a Business Improvement Area, or an academic institution.
The applicant or collaborating organization must provide food and beverage products for takeaway or delivery, or offer reuse system infrastructure for food businesses.
The business or organization must be located within the boundaries of Toronto, with the exception of urban off-reserve Indigenous-led organizations delivering culturally-based programming outside Toronto.
Projects must implement a new reuse system or enhance an existing one and be completed within one year.
Projects must focus on reuse systems for takeaway or delivery and cannot be exclusively for dine-in consumption.

Who is eligible?

For-profit small businesses providing food and beverage for takeaway or delivery
Registered charitable organizations involved in food and beverage reuse systems
Not-for-profit organizations, including Business Improvement Areas
Academic institutions collaborating with businesses on eligible food and beverage reuse projects
Reuse service providers offering infrastructure for food businesses

Who is not eligible

Companies offering reuse systems exclusively for dine-in consumption.
Businesses with 99 or more employees (excluding academic institutions).
Companies not located within the boundaries of Toronto, unless they are urban off-reserve Indigenous-led organizations providing culturally-based programming outside Toronto.
Projects involving solely research and development, prototyping, or education and outreach initiatives.

Eligible expenses

Purchase of durable, reusable foodservice ware such as plates, bowls, cups, trays, glasses, straws, stirrers, condiment cups, and utensils.
Expenses for infrastructure to support reuse systems, including collection bins and cleaning facilities.
Costs related to support technology, such as mobile applications or barcode tracking systems to coordinate reverse logistics and management of reusable foodservice ware.
Project expenses verified by receipts or financial documentation for eligible costs as defined in the funding agreement.
In-kind contributions essential to the project, such as the donation of office space or equipment (subject to approval).

Eligible geographic areas

Businesses located within the boundaries of Toronto.

How to apply to the Toronto Circular Food Innovators Fund program

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.

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.

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.

Complete Application Form

Fill out the application form provided by the City of Toronto, ensuring all sections are completed accurately.

Application Submission

Submit the completed application form and any additional required documents to the City.
Ensure submission is done before the application deadline.

Await Review and Feedback

Wait for application review by the City of Toronto.
You may be contacted for additional information or clarification.

Funding Agreement

If approved, sign a Funding Agreement with the City of Toronto to formalize the grant approval.

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.

Additional information

Reporting templates are provided in advance to allow applicants to anticipate required metrics and documentation.
Lessons learned from funded projects may be shared with relevant stakeholders, including other grant recipients.
Grant recipients must track and report specific metrics demonstrating project impact.

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