In January, Project Green Fork launched its 2025 Mini-Grants for Food Rescue Organizations with a happy hour at Good Groceries. The meeting brought together food rescue organizations to spread awareness of the impact of local food rescue efforts and to gear up for an exciting new year of growth.
Applications for the mini-grants opened, offering $500 to $1,000 to organizations working directly with people facing food insecurity in Shelby County, Tennessee. PGF anticipates awarding 10 to 15 grants this year, providing a much-needed boost to expand food rescue capacities across the community.
Supporting local food rescue efforts
The mini-grants are designed to address critical needs for nonprofits dedicated to reducing food waste and improving access to nutritious food. Funding can help organizations invest in resources such as refrigeration, transportation equipment, or innovative solutions to streamline food rescue operations.
Food rescue is a win-win, keeping perfectly good food out of landfills and providing meals to those who need them most. These grants empower organizations to scale their efforts and make an even bigger impact.
Success stories from past recipients
PGF’s mini-grants have already fueled inspiring initiatives in the community:
- Sunshine and Daisy purchased an upright refrigerator, enabling them to expand their cold storage and accept more donations of perishable items.
- Room in the Inn created an accessible community garden space, providing fresh produce to individuals in need.
- Hope House invested in refrigerated chair bags, simplifying the transportation of perishable donations to those they serve.
Food rescue by the numbers
At the happy hour, the PGF team shared metrics from their food rescue initiatives in 2024:
- 121,913 pounds of donated food rescued, equivalent to 101,594 meals.
- 37 food donation partners and 64 food recovery organizations collaborated to fight food insecurity.
- 1,245 food donations were facilitated.
- 203.05 tons of greenhouse gas emissions avoided, thanks to rescued food staying out of landfills.
- 11,260,749 gallons of water saved, showcasing the environmental benefits of lessening food waste.
Looking ahead
While PGF celebrates these achievements, they’ve identified opportunities for growth in 2025:
- Increasing the number of regular food donors in their network.
- Expanding the types of ready-to-serve foods being donated.
- Promoting opportunities for secondary rescue within their network of organizations.
