Californians send 11.2 billion pounds of food to landfills each year. A new law, Senate Bill (SB) 1383, requires each jurisdiction in California to implement an edible food recovery program, which will:

• Feed hungry people
• Create new jobs
• Strengthen relationships between food donors and food recovery organizations
• Help create sustainable funding for food recovery organizations
• Build more resilient communities

Implementing a food recovery program will also save landfill space and lower methane emissions. 

Businesses can do their part to reduce food waste and greenhouse gas emissions by:

• Reducing food waste and excess edible food
• Finding out whether your business is a designated food generator per SB1383
• Connecting with a food recovery organization to start donating excess edible food

Residents can also do their part to reduce food waste and greenhouse gas emissions by:

• Planning meals before shopping to avoid food spoilage and waste – and save money
• Learn the difference between “sell-by,” “use-by,” best-by” expiration dates
• Become a pro at food storage by learning quick tips to keep food better, longer

To reduce food waste and help address food insecurity, SB 1383 requires California to recover 20% of edible food by 2025 to feed people in need. 

The law directs jurisdictions to establish food recovery programs and identify food generators to recover and donate the maximum amount of their edible food that would otherwise go to landfills. SB 1383 allows food donors to work with and deliver to food recovery organizations like food banks and pantries, soup kitchens and food recovery services.

The law phases food donors in under two tiers. The first tier is required to donate starting in 2022. The second tier is required to donate starting in 2024. Mandated food donors can help their communities now by starting to work with local food banks, food pantries, and other food recovery organizations and services.

Commercial edible food generators: 

• Tier 1 – Tier one businesses typically have more produce, fresh grocery and shelf-stable foods to donate. Tier 1 includes:
  • Wholesale food vendors
  • Food service providers
  • Food distributors
  • Grocery stores (greater than or equal to 10,000 sq. ft.) and supermarkets
• Tier 2 – Tier two 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). Tier 2 includes:
  • Hotels with on-site food facility and over 200 rooms
  • Restaurant facilities greater than or equal to 5,000 sq. ft. or with over seats
  • Health facilities with on-site food facility and over 100 beds
  • State agency cafeterias greater than 5,000 sq. ft. or with over 250 seats
  • Local education agencies with on-site food facility
  • Large venues and events

Mandated food donors (Tier 1 & Tier 2 commercial edible food generators) are required to do the following to prevent edible food from going to the landfill and be compliant with the law:

1. Establish contracts and written agreements with food recovery organizations and services
   To ensure that the maximum amount of edible food is recovered, mandated food donors are required to establish contracts or written agreements with food recovery organizations and services.
2. Recordkeeping
   The law requires mandated food donors to maintain records of their food donation activities.

Reach out to the Sustainable Materials Management Division to learn more about how to get started:

Sustainable Materials Management Division – Food Recovery
foodrecovery@carlsbadca.gov | 442-339-2646

Contact a local food bank to get connected with a food recovery organization:

• Feeding San Diego
  Kate Garrett | fooddonation@feedingsandiego.org | (858) 283-8978
• San Diego Food Bank
  Kayla Thomson | kthomson@sandiegofoodbank.org | (858) 863-5133

• “Save the Food” / food recovery guidelines – inform your staff about requirements to reduce, donate and compost leftovers and food waste
• “Save the Food” / food recovery guidelines (Spanish)
• “Be On the Right Side of Recycling” / separate organic waste
• “Be On the Right Side of Recycling” / keep recyclables out of the landfill