Food Recovery Challenge Awards
Recognition is a key element of the EPA’s Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) Program and the Food Recovery Challenge (FRC). Food Recovery Challenge awards are offered in two categories – data-driven and narrative. Participants do not need to apply for the data-driven awards, as these awards are given based on the information submitted via the SMM Data Management System. FRC participants and endorsers can apply for narrative awards in the SMM Data Management System Exit.
Narrative awards are given to eligible Participants in the following categories:
- Source reduction
- Leadership
- Innovation
- Education and Outreach
Narrative awards are given to eligible Endorsers in the following categories:
- Endorsers
- Leadership
- Education and Outreach
On this page:
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for data-driven awards, a participant must do the following:
- Join the FRC before January 1, 2016
- Submit a participation agreement, baseline data and baseline goal in the SMM Data Management System
- Submit 2016 annual data in the SMM Data Management System by March 31, 2017
- Submit 2017 annual goals in the SMM Data Management System by March 31, 2017
To be eligible for newcomer data-driven awards, a participant must do the following:
- Join the FRC in calendar year 2016
- Submit a participation agreement in the SMM Data Management System
- Submit a 2016 baseline data form, representing 2015 work, in the SMM Data Management System
- Submit 2016 baseline goals in the SMM Data Management System
- Submit 2016 annual data in the SMM Data Management System
- Submit 2017 annual goals in the SMM Data Management System
To be eligible for narrative awards, a participant must do the following:
- Submit a participation agreement, baseline data and baseline goal in the SMM Data Management System
- Submit 2016 annual data in the SMM Data Management System by March 31, 2017
- Submit 2017 annual goals in the SMM Data Management System by March 31, 2017
- Submit a narrative award application by April 30, 2017
To be eligible for narrative awards, an endorser must do the following:
- Submit a participation agreement in the SMM Data Management System
- Submit a 2016 Endorser Annual Data Form in the SMM Data Management System by March 31, 2017
- Submit 2017 endorser annual goals in the SMM Data Management System by March 31, 2017
- Submit a narrative award application by April 30, 2017
Evaluation Criteria
Data-Driven Awards
The EPA will use a weighted calculation to evaluate participants’ data. The calculation is based on participants’ reported activities in the SMM Data Management System and where that activity falls on the Food Recovery Hierarchy.
As an example, source reduction, as the most preferred activity, will be given the highest weight. Other activities will be weighted accordingly based on their place on the Hierarchy.
In addition to reported data, winners are selected based on results of both civil and criminal enforcement screens and other qualitative factors.
Narrative Awards
Each narrative award category includes a set of questions with associated percentages. Award applications are evaluated by a panel, scored and ranked.
In addition to responses included in the narrative award applications, winners are selected based on results of both civil and criminal enforcement screens and other qualitative factors.
Questions
If you have any questions about the 2017 awards process, please feel free to contact your regional representative.