Community College Food Recovery Grants – May 15

Posted by Food Recovery Network on May 12, 2026

Food Recovery Network (FRN) is continuing our Community College Grant program to help establish food recovery programs on community colleges across the U.S. Through this grant, community colleges will be selected to receive one-year of technical and financial assistance to set up food recovery programs on their campuses, beginning in summer/fall 2026.

FRN launched a data-driven methodology to understand in which geographic areas higher education infrastructure could be best used to rescue the most food and feed the most people. This work revealed that it is more often community colleges, rather than four-year institutions, that can serve as the connecting infrastructure to help feed more people, faster.
Grant recipients will also be awarded recognition and serve as models for how community colleges can play a vital role in helping feed community members in need.

Grant funding can be used towards general operating costs relevant to food recovery efforts (personnel and benefits, direct supply expenses, etc.). All eligible applicants will receive $2,500 to support their food recovery efforts. Applicants who are further along in their food recovery work can receive up to $20,000 throughout the grant period.

All applications must be received by May 15, 2026 at midnight ET. All applicants will be notified by June 15, 2026.

If you have any questions, please email programs@foodrecoverynetwork.org.