This project will promote environmental justice for frontline communities, as the landfills where the food waste and ASH from h-power would otherwise end up in historically underserved communities

The City and County of Honolulu received a $296,127.80 cooperative agreement award from the United States Department of Agriculture National Resources Conservation Service to promote environmental justice through urban agriculture and innovative food waste programs. The funding supports projects under the USDA's Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production federal grant program (CFDA 10.935) from March 15, 2023 through May 30, 2025. Specifically, the City and County will divert food waste and ash from its municipal waste stream through urban farming and landfill alternatives, helping reduce disposal in historically underserved communities. The cooperative agreement funding model indicates the USDA and City and County will collaborate on project activities to jointly advance their goals of sustainable waste management and environmental equity through local food production innovations.