Tier 1 businesses typically have more produce, fresh grocery and shelf-stable food to donate. Examples are Wholesale food Vendors, food Service Providers, Food distributors and Grocery stores ≥ than 10,000 sq. ft. and Supermarkets.
Required to Send Surplus Food to Food
Organizations Starting January 1, 2022
Deadline to fulfill SB 1383 requirements: January 1, 2022.
Tier 2 businesses typically have more prepared foods to donate, which often require more careful handling to meet food safety requirements (e.g. time and temperature controls). Examples are Hotels with On-site Food Facility and 200+ rooms, Restaurants Facilities ≥ 5,000 sq. ft. or 250+ seats, Health Facilities with On-site Food Facility and 100+ beds, State Agency Cafeterias ≥ 5,000 sq. ft. or 250+ seats, Local Education Agencies with On-site Food Facility
Required to Send Surplus Food to Food
Organizations Starting January 1, 2024
Secure written agreements or contracts with food recovery organizations that receive your donation.
Begin donating excess edible food.
Maintain donation records at business location to be submitted to your city.
Everyone is shopping smarter these days. It is important for the environment to keep food waste out of the landfills where it produces methane, a powerful greenhouse gas.
Use these tips to save on groceries and help the environment.
Before you go to the grocery store or order online, make a list so you don’t buy more than you need.
Portion control is good for your waistline, and good for reducing plate waste.
Pack leftovers in small portions in shallow containers, mark the containers and date, refrigerate, and use within 3 to 4 days or freeze immediately.
Food scraps can be recycled into compost, an organic material that can be added to soil to hep plants grow. Set up a home compost bin or drop your food waste at a local compost center.
Each year, the average American family of four loses $1,500 to uneaten food. Keeping food out of landfills also reduces methane, a hazardous air pollutant that contributes to climate change. With every meal, you can take steps to save food, save money, and reduce environmental impacts.
With the exception of infant formula, food that is properly handled should still be safe if the date on a food product passes during home storage until spoilage is evident.
What fresh food items in your home need to be eaten? Consider eating them first.
Freeze leftovers within 3-4 days to extend shelf life. Uneaten fruits and vegetables can be frozen and used later in stews and smoothies.
Eating out? Order what you can finish. Ask about portion sizes and be aware of side dishes included with entrees. Take the leftovers home and keep them for your next meal. Consider bringing reusable containers with you to take leftovers home in. At all-you-can-eat buffets, take only what you can eat.
These new requirements are part of the State’s SB1383 regulations. One of the provisions of SB1383 is to increase statewide edible food recovery to 20% of edible food that would otherwise be disposed by 2025.
For Tier One Edible Food Generators, the requirements go into effect starting January 1, 2022. For Tier Two Edible Food Generators, the requirements go into effect starting January 1, 2024.
Edible food means foods intended for human consumption. Permitted food facilities such as restaurants, hotels, grocery stores, food processing facilities, food distributors and caterers can donate prepared foods and meals (e.g. hot trays that remained back-of-house) to non-profit charitable organizations or individuals directly. Foods that have been previously served to a consumer cannot be donated.
The County is working on an education campaign to inform businesses about this new regulation. In addition to this website, the County has developed a Commercial Edible Food Recovery Brochure with the regulatory highlights, and is working to identify businesses that meet the criteria as Tier One and Tier Two Edible Food Generators. The County will be reaching out to these businesses to provide information, confirm status designation, and provide businesses an opportunity to ask questions.
Contract examples can be found at CalRecycle’s Food Donors webpage or you can download their Model Food Recovery Agreement.
Please visit Safe Surplus Food Donation Tool Kit for more information and resources you need to safely donate edible food.
The California State Good Samaritan Food Donation Act and the National Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act offers protection as long as the foods being donated are handled in a safe and sanitary manner.
