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
Summary of the Circular Food Innovators Fund
The Circular Food Innovators Fund is a grant initiative by the City of Toronto aimed at supporting local small businesses in implementing zero-waste, reusable foodservice ware systems to replace single-use and takeaway items. This fund enables both for-profit and non-profit organizations to enhance or establish reuse systems contributing to a circular food system in Toronto.
Introduction to the Circular Food Innovators Fund
The City of Toronto is making significant strides toward creating a sustainable and circular economy by reducing waste and advancing innovative business models. One notable initiative in this regard is the Circular Food Innovators Fund, launched in February 2024. This fund is designed to support local small businesses—both for-profit and non-profit—in replacing single-use and takeaway items with reusable foodservice ware. By doing so, it aims to mitigate waste and contribute to building a more circular food system in Toronto.
Purpose and Objectives
The primary purpose of the Circular Food Innovators Fund is to provide financial assistance to small businesses in Toronto to help them implement reuse systems. These systems are designed to replace single-use items with reusable alternatives, thus significantly reducing waste. The fund aligns with Toronto's strategic priorities to foster sustainability and innovation in waste management and the foodservice sector.
Eligible Applicants
To be eligible for this grant, applicants must be either for-profit businesses or registered charitable and non-profit organizations, including Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) and academic institutions. Specific criteria include:
- Offering food and beverage products for takeaway or delivery.
- Providing reuse system infrastructure for food businesses.
- Being a small business with fewer than 99 employees (excluding academic institutions).
- Operating within the boundaries of Toronto. However, urban off-reserve Indigenous-led organizations can provide services outside Toronto's boundaries.
Preference is given to businesses owned by women, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, and people with disabilities.
Funding Details
The Circular Food Innovators Fund offers grant funding ranging from $5,000 to a maximum of $35,000. A total of $250,000 is available under Phase One of the Fund. For-profit applicants can be funded up to 75% of their project's total cost, with a maximum grant of $35,000, while non-profit applicants may be funded up to 100% of the project costs. For-profit businesses must demonstrate an ability to cover at least 25% of the total project costs, which can be through financial contributions or in-kind contributions such as the donation of office space or essential equipment.
Eligible Projects
Projects eligible for this grant must be completed within one year and either implement a new reuse system or enhance an existing reuse system. Eligible projects must utilize market-ready solutions or those already in the market. The fund does not cover projects focusing primarily on research and development, prototyping, or education and outreach initiatives. The reuse systems must:
- Involve food or beverage takeaway or delivery services.
- Not be exclusively for dine-in consumption.
Priority is given to projects proposing innovative solutions, those involving multiple organizations for implementation, projects delivering additional community benefits related to the food system, and projects with sustainability plans for continuation post-grant period.
Recent Fund Recipients
The initial round of funding saw a diverse range of recipients, each contributing uniquely to Toronto's circular food system:
- ChocoSol Traders: Enhanced their MUUSE returnable cup system with their reusable “ChocoSol” cup system.
- Circulr: Expanded reusable cup services to events across Toronto, aiming to remove 50,000 single-use cups from the waste stream in the first year.
- Evergreen: Implemented a 7-day-a-week site-wide reuse system at Evergreen Brick Works, enhancing their Saturday Farmers Market reuse program.
- Inwit Solutions Inc.: Developed an advanced back-office platform and introduced carbon-free cargo bikes in their logistics operations for reusable packaging.
- Scadding Court Community Centre: Implemented a comprehensive food container reuse system at Market 707.
- Feed Scarborough: Initiated a new reuse system for takeaway containers at their Food Hall TO.
- Suppli Sustainable Services Inc.: Enhanced their reuse program by expanding product lines, geographical footprint, and improving logistics and customer retention.
- Wexford Heights Business Improvement Area: Created the 'Friendlier Eco Zone' at the Taste of Lawrence festival, offering reusable containers with a refundable deposit.
- York University: Implemented a reusable food container system to replace single-use packaging at their campus food service outlets.
What Constitutes a Reuse System?
A reuse system is an operational model where reusable foodservice ware such as plates, bowls, cups, trays, glasses, and utensils are collected, cleaned, and redistributed for further use. These systems often involve specialized infrastructure such as collection bins, cleaning facilities, and support technology like mobile applications for logistics coordination or barcode tracking.
Funding Agreements and Reporting Requirements
Successful grant recipients are required to sign a Funding Agreement with the City of Toronto. For-profit recipients receive funding upon project completion, after submitting a final report and financial documentation. Non-profit recipients receive 50% of the grant upfront and the remaining 50% at project completion, contingent upon submitting required reports and financial documentation. Recipients must submit interim and final project reports, documenting progress, lessons learned, and providing financial receipts. These reports help measure project impact and share valuable insights with relevant stakeholders, including other grant recipients.
Conclusion
The Circular Food Innovators Fund represents a significant push toward a more sustainable and circular economy in Toronto through innovative waste management practices. By supporting small businesses in their efforts to implement reusable foodservice ware systems, the City of Toronto aims to significantly reduce single-use waste and foster a culture of sustainability and innovation in the food service industry. This initiative not only advances Toronto's environmental goals but also encourages community engagement and business growth through sustainable practices.