Edible Food Recovery

Senate Bill 1383 (SB 1383) is a new California law that requires businesses who produce food to donate the maximum amount of edible food they would otherwise throw away, to food recovery organizations.

Almost 1 in 4 Californians don't have enough to eat. Conserving edible food through food recovery provides a viable solution. In addition, food recovery reduces the amount of organic waste in landfills and limits the production of methane. Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas that is created as food waste decomposes in landfills.  This gas traps heat in our atmosphere, resulting in detrimental effects on our environment and climate.

SB 1383 requires some businesses to produce, sell, and serve food to donate excess edible food. These businesses have been categorized into two tiers.

A food recovery organization is an entity that collects and distributes edible food to the public for food recovery either directly or through other entities including, but not limited to, a food bank or non-profit charitable organization. If your business fits into the mandated Tier One or Tier Two classification, you need to establish a written agreement with an organization that accepts edible food. The law also requires tracking how much food is donated in total tonnage per month. The table below lists local organizations - the first are those in San Dimas and the latter those in nearby jurisdictions. 

A food recovery service is a person or entity that collects and transports edible food from a commercial food generator to a FRO or other entities for food recovery.

Browse through a list of frequently asked questions, here.