Recover Edible Food: help families in need while Reducing ghg Impacts on Climate Change

Edible food recovery (EFR) is part of the implementation of California’s legislation (SB 1383) addressing climate pollutants and wasted food. To reduce food waste and help address food insecurity, SB 1383 requires that by 2025 California recovers 20% of edible food that would otherwise go to waste and redistribute it to feed people in need. U.S. food waste is estimated to be 30-40% of the food supply, with Californians throwing away approximately 6 million tons of food per year. In the Monterey County Health Needs Collaborative 2022 report, over 40% of community members in Monterey County were determined to be food insecure. As part of SB 1383, surplus food still safe for people to eat will instead go to local food recovery organizations and services to help feed those in need. Diverting edible food from the landfill also prevents additional greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions resulting from the organic waste decomposition process. More information is available on the CalRecycle website and in the CalRecycle Edible Food Recovery FAQs.

The Safe Surplus Food Donation Toolkit was created for use and distribution by Environmental Health Departments across California to educate food facilities about safe surplus food donation. The toolkit includes information on liability protections, state mandates, and safe surplus food donation practices. 

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Edible Food Recovery Grants
The Edible Food Recovery Grant Program is funded by ReGen Monterey, Salinas Valley Recycles (SVR) and their member agencies in an effort to support local food recovery organizations. Grant funds can be used for equipment and staffing that help local organizations increase their capacity to collect and distribute food to those in need. The application period has closed, but stay posted for the next grant funding opportunity!