Reusable Foodware Cafeteria Grants

These grants are for innovative projects to replace single-use disposable foodware with reusable systems in closed-environment* cafeterias and similar dining facilities in Alameda County. These locations offer ideal conditions for piloting reusable foodware systems due to their controlled operations and typically high volume of meals served.

*In closed-environment dining facilities reusable foodware (such as plates, bowls, utensils, and cups) is used exclusively for on-site dining, remains on-site after use, is collected, cleaned, and returned for continuous reuse. Settings where foodware is used for take-out (”grab and go”) are not considered closed environments for the purpose of these grants.

Eligible closed-environment* locations include

*see definition above

• K-12 Schools: Cafeterias in public and private schools (including schools where students dine or are served at outdoor picnic tables, in multipurpose rooms or similar within the campus).
• Colleges and Universities: Dining facilities in higher education institutions.
• Corporate Campuses: On-site cafeterias serving employees.
• Hospitals and Healthcare Institutions: Dine-in food service operations within medical facilities.
• Other Large Institutions: Any organization with a closed-environment, cafeteria-style dining facility.

Who can apply

• Nonprofits, businesses, institutions, public and private schools, and school districts.
• Reusable foodware vendors and service providers. (Must identify a specific project and location to implement reusable foodware, name key contact/players, and provide letters of support).
• Organizations with open StopWaste grants in any category will need to contact their current grant manager before applying for a new grant award.

Eligible projects must

• Replace disposable foodware with reusable solutions.
• Take place in closed-environment cafeterias or similar dining facilities serving at least 150 meals per day. (For lower volume, please contact Ben Duggan before applying).
• Align with Reusable Cafeteria Grant Priorities.
• Projects must take place in Alameda County.

Examples of eligible projects

• Purchasing reusable foodware to replace disposables and using existing or installing new dishwashing equipment for dishware washing.
• Purchasing reusable foodware to replace disposables and partnering with third-party dishwashing services for dishware washing and redistribution.
• Partnering with third-party reusable foodware vendors and/or service providers for dishware supply, collection, washing, and redistribution.
• Review previous grantees project highlights for examples of eligible projects.

Non-eligible projects

• Projects replacing disposables with reusables at restaurants, cafés, or in retail food courts and markets are not eligible for funding. For these, refer to our Reusable Foodware Mini-Grants.
• Open-system reusable foodware projects, where reusable containers are taken off-site and returned later (e.g., take-out, to-go or “grab and go” settings) are not eligible.
• Projects focusing on recycling or composting foodware are not eligible for funding.

Funding amounts

• Proposals ranging from $25,000 to $50,000 will be considered.
• A total of $200,000 is available for this grant cycle.
• If funds remain after grant awards are announced, applications will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis until funds are depleted.

Grant application timeline

• Application Opens: January 6, 2025
• Application Closes: February 24, 2025
• Grant Awards Announced (anticipated): April 18, 2025
• Note: If funds remain, applications continue to be accepted on a rolling basis.

Application support available

Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact us to discuss their proposed project before submitting an application. Resources for equipment and vendor recommendations, cost estimates, logistical guidance for reusable foodware implementation, and hands-on help during rollout are available. This support is available both before grant applications are submitted, as well as during implementation of awarded grant projects. To request support, please reach out to Reusable Foodware Grant Manager, Ben Duggan here.

Grantee Highlights

Fremont Unified School District (FUSD)

Ten of FUSD’s 29 K-5 schools switched from compostable paper trays, “spork kits” (plastic spork, plastic straw and paper napkin sealed in plastic baggie) and single-serve condiment packets to reusable stainless-steel trays, forks and spoons, as well as napkin dispensers and bulk condiment pumps. After each meal period, Dishjoy, a third-party dishwashing service, collects the used trays and utensils to wash offsite, then redistributes them to each school. FUSD rolled out the program in two phases, using several funding sources including a $50,000 grant from StopWaste. They are preventing 2,373,300 single-use items each year and looking to expand to more schools in the District.

Berkeley Unified School District (BUSD)

BUSD used a $25,000 grant from StopWaste to convert six elementary and middle schools from disposable foodware to reusable, stainless-steel trays, cups, bowls and sporks. They are now preventing 584,280 single-use foodware items each year. The conversion also included the purchase and installation of a dishwashing machine in each of the schools to wash the reusable foodware items. Although the project required a small increase in labor expenses, the avoided purchase of disposable foodware and reduced cost for garbage collection results in a net savings of $18,262 annually.  

Albany Unified School District (AUSD)

AUSD used a StopWaste grant to replace disposable foodware with reusable, stainless-steel trays, cups and utensils at three elementary schools, preventing 594,000 disposable foodware items each year. Grant funding also helped AUSD purchase a dishwashing machine and install it at their central kitchen. Staff shuttles dishes between participating sites and the washing station in a district-owned van.

Reusable Cafeteria Grant Priorities

Funding for Alameda County-based, closed-environment projects will be allocated in the following order of priority:

1. K-12 Schools
   • Top priority is given to projects at K-12 schools, with plans to convert multiple schools.
   • Preference will be given to schools with high percentages of students eligible to receive free and reduced-cost lunch.
   • While private schools are eligible, publicly funded schools will be prioritized.
2. Multi-Building Campuses and Large Institutions
   • While private and non-academic campuses will be considered, preference will be given to public academic campuses.
   • Examples of eligible large institutions include, but are not limited to:
     • Hospitals and healthcare facilities with on-site cafeterias
     • Corporate campuses with on-site employee dining facilities.
3. New StopWaste Grantees
   • Previously awarded StopWaste grantees are eligible to apply; however, priority will be given to new projects that have not previously received funding.
4. Project Location
   • While proposals located in all parts of Alameda County are encouraged, priority will be given to projects located in eastern and southern Alameda County.