Approval of the City Commission for the Letter of Support for the City of Fort Pierce's application to the National Household Wasted Food Prevention Project (NHWFPP) Catalyst Grant.

The Grants Division is aiming to submit an application to the National Household Wasted Food Prevention Project (NHWFPP) due on September 1, 2026, a competitive grant program administered by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to support community-based initiatives that reduce household wasted food through education, outreach, and measurable behavior change. The grant is open to local governments and provides awards ranging from $75,000 to $750,000 for projects with implementation periods of up to 38 months.

The Grants Division is proposing the "Fort Pierce Food Smart Families Initiative," a citywide community engagement program designed to help residents reduce household wasted food, strengthen household budgets, improve food security, and promote environmental sustainability through practical education and community partnerships. Guided by the theme "Smart Food. Strong Families. Sustainable Fort Pierce.", the initiative will provide residents with tools and resources focused on meal planning, grocery shopping, food storage, food preparation, and food utilization to encourage long-term behavior change.

The proposed project will leverage existing City resources and partnerships with educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and community stakeholders to maximize community impact. The grant does not require a local funding match, allowing the City to pursue this opportunity without committing additional local funding. Existing staff time, community facilities, and partner contributions may be identified as leveraged resources to strengthen the application.

The National Household Wasted Food Prevention Project emphasizes measurable outcomes and encourages communities to develop innovative, scalable models that can be replicated nationwide. If awarded, the proposed initiative would position the City of Fort Pierce as a leader in household food waste prevention while advancing the City's goals related to sustainability, community engagement, environmental stewardship, and quality of life.

Approve the Letter of Support for the City's application to the National Household Wasted Food Prevention Project (NHWFPP) Catalyst Grant. 

Staff will proceed at the direction of the Commission. 

Theresa Orellana, Grant Writer
Donnella Clarke, Grants Manager 

Theresa Orellana, Grant Writer
Donnella Clarke, Grants Manager
Johnna Morris, Finance Director