The kerbside caddies will then be collected alongside green, blue and brown bins and there will be no additional charge for the new equipment or the service.
Food waste that is collected would go to an anaerobic digestion plant, Stafford Borough Council said, where it would be converted into energy and material for use in agriculture.
Ian Fordham, council cabinet member for environment, said upcoming government rules required all local authorities to provide a separate food collection.
Many councils, however, will miss the original deadline for introducing the scheme.
“The new service has been funded by central government and will be run alongside our residents’ usual recycling and waste collection days,” Fordham said.
Things that can go in the new caddies include fruit and vegetables – including peelings – as well as fish, meat and bones plus tea bags, coffee grounds, eggs and dairy products.
The council said the caddies should not be used for liquids, oils or fats, garden waste or food packaging.
Food waste made up about a third of household rubbish which was currently incinerated, the authority said.
Overall, about 45% of what Stafford borough households throw out is recycled.