Food Recovery - Edible Food Generators
SB 1383 categorizes commercial edible food generators into two tiers. Tier One generators were required to donate starting in 2022, and Tier Two were required to start in 2024. Your business may still participate in a food recovery program even if you are not required to. Contact Philip Hirrel at phirrel@toaks.gov for more information.
If your business is a commercial edible food generator, you are required to do the following.
- Make arrangements to recover the maximum amount of edible food at your business. You can also make efforts to reduce food waste and proper disposal of organic generated from operations. For more information, visit Safe Surplus Food Donation Guide.
- Establish a contract or written agreement with a food recovery organization or service to arrange for food donations. Visit Model Food Recovery Agreement for assistance with this requirement.
- Maintain records of all food donation activities, including the following items.
- List of each food recovery organization or service that collects or receives edible food pursuant to a contract or written agreement.
- Copies of all contracts or written agreements.
- Records of food donations for each food recovery organization or service that has a contract or written agreement with your business, including name, address, types of food, frequency, and quantity.
Edible food generators are not required to report this data to the City, but the City may request these records to verify compliance. You can use this Model Record Keeping Tool to maintain records.
The City partners with Careit to help connect food generators, such as grocery stores, restaurants, large venues, and hotels, with food recovery organizations and services. Businesses can post their donations with the free Careit app. Download at www.careitapp.com. By joining Careit and entering donations in Careit, you can establish a written agreement with a food recovery organization or service. Click here to view a list of food recovery organizations and services that are participating in the City’s food recovery program.
All food that is recovered for human consumption must meet the food safety requirements of the California Retail Food Code. Both Federal and State laws provide liability protections for good faith donors. For more information, visit the following links.
Click here for additional information from CalRecycle. You can also email phirrel@toaks.gov for specific questions related to your business.