(AGENPARL) - Roma, 9 Gennaio 2026 - (AGENPARL) – Fri 09 January 2026 City of Toronto Media Relations has issued the following:
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News Release
January 9, 2026
City of Toronto launches second round of funding to reduce food packaging waste
The City of Toronto is now accepting applications for the second round of the Circular Food Innovators Fund (CFIF). Grants starting from $5,000 and up to a maximum of $35,000 are available to support local small businesses and non-profit organizations implement or expand solutions that reduce single-use and takeaway items for food packaging.
First launched in 2024, the CFIF was created to help local small businesses replace single-use and takeaway items with reusable food packaging, helping to advance the City’s circular economy goals. The first round of funding was highly successful, driving positive outcomes that impacted business growth, job creation, operational efficiency and reductions in waste and emissions.
Building on this impact, the 2026 program offers funding from $500 up to $5,000 to eligible participants for green workforce development and training activities that support sustainable practices in Toronto’s food and beverage sector.
Applications will be accepted until Sunday, March 1 with a total of $275,000 in funding available. Successful grant recipients will be announced in the summer.
Interested businesses and organizations can learn more about the application process, program goals and eligibility at one of the virtual information sessions held on:
• Monday, January 26 from noon to 1 p.m.
• Wednesday, February 18 from 5 to 6 p.m.
Registration links and more details are available on the City’s CFIF webpage: https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/grants-incentives-rebates/circular-food-innovators-fund/.
In November 2025, Toronto City Council approved the second round of CFIF funding as part of a key action outlined in the 10-Year Circular Economy Road Map: https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/recycling-organics-garbage/waste-management/working-toward-a-circular-economy/strategy-for-a-circular-toronto/.
In 2024, a total of $262,500 was awarded to nine local organizations to replace single-use and takeaway items with reusable foodservice ware. More information on these success stories can be found on the City’s Circular Food Innovators Success Stories webpage: https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/grants-incentives-rebates/circular-food-innovators-fund/circular-food-innovators-fund-success-stories/.