UPDATE: On January 5, 2023, President Biden signed the Food Donation Improvement Act into law.
On December 21, 2022, the Food Donation Improvement Act was passed in Congress.
Food Rescue Hero applauds the passing of the Food Donation Improvement Act, a bipartisan bill introduced in November 2021 by Senators Pat Toomey (R-PA) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and supported across party lines by politicians and hunger relief organizations including many representatives from Food Rescue Hero Network partners.
“412 Food Rescue was proud to work with Senator Toomey on the crafting of this legislation to make sure that food recovery is fully recognized and protected by congress as something valuable in the fight against hunger and climate change,” said Jen England, Chief Operating Officer at 412 Food Rescue in Pittsburgh.
The legislation builds upon the 1996 Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act by clarifying and broadening liability protections for retailers to donate surplus food. Within 180 days of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture will issue new clarifying regulations on quality and labeling standards for donated food products.
As this legislation expands existing food donation policy, it strengthens growing efforts to mitigate food waste and redirect surplus food to the millions of Americans currently experiencing food insecurity.
