Contact:
Tracy Robillard
Municipality of Anchorage receives Community Compost and Food Waste Reduction agreement
PALMER, Alaska, August 26, 2020 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the selection of recipients for approximately $4.1 million in grants and cooperative agreements through its new Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production. These are the first-ever recipients of these grants and cooperative agreements.
These funding opportunities consisted of two programs: Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Competitive Grants; and Community Compost and Food Waste Reduction (CCFWR) Projects. In Alaska, one project was selected to receive funding through the community compost program.
Nationally through the community compost program, USDA is investing approximately $1.09 million in 13 pilot projects that develop and test strategies for planning and implementing municipal compost plans and food waste reduction. Priority was given to projects that anticipate or demonstrate economic benefits, incorporate plans to make compost easily accessible to farmers, including community gardeners, integrate other food waste strategies, including food recovery efforts, and collaborate with multiple partners.
The Municipality of Anchorage was selected to receive a CCFWR agreement called "Expanding on Success and Envisioning the Future of Organics Diversion in Anchorage, Alaska." The project includes a feasibility study and implementation plan for a municipal-scale composting operation at the Anchorage Regional Landfill, including an education campaign in partnership with the Alaska Food Policy Council, Alaska Waste, and Central Recycling Services. An additional 500 roll carts will be purchased with pick up service to increase composting.
Below are all the Community Compost and Food Waste Reduction Project recipients:
- Municipality of Anchorage, Alaska
- City of Fayetteville, Arkansas
- City of Prescott, Arizona
- Boulder County, Colorado
- City of New Haven, Connecticut
- City of Gainesville, Florida
- Lake County, Illinois
- Douglas County, Kansas
- City of Paterson, New Jersey
- City of New York, New York
- Henderson County, North Carolina
- City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Prince William County, Virginia
Details
For a complete list of grant and cooperative agreement recipients and project summaries, visit farmers.gov/urban. 
More Information
The Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production was established through the 2018 Farm Bill. It is led by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and works in partnership with numerous USDA agencies that support urban agriculture. Its mission is to encourage and promote urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural practices, including community composting and food waste reduction. More information is available at farmers.gov/urban.
Additional resources that may be of interest to urban agriculture entities include AMS grants to improve domestic and international opportunities for U.S. growers and producers and FSA loans.
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