REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Waive First Reading and take Action on Introduction of an Ordinance to add Chapter 8.26, Entitled Edible Food Recovery, to Implement Edible Food Recovery Programs and Require Certain Businesses to Arrange for the Donation of Edible Food That Would Otherwise Go to Waste
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Promote Sustainability and Environmental Protection
BACKGROUND
Following the adoption of Senate Bill (SB) 1383, the Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Act of 2016, the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) developed regulations to reduce organics in landfills as a source of methane. SB 1383 contains requirements for both organic waste and edible food recovery. The City has already adopted new solid waste polices that deal with organic waste. The new program outlined in this report deals with edible food recovery from certain businesses. SB 1383 defines edible food as food intended for human consumption that meets the food safety requirements of the California Retail Food Code. SB 1383 requires each jurisdiction in California to:
* Implement an edible food recovery program for certain businesses that will feed hungry people
* Create new green collar jobs
* Strengthen relationships between food donors and food recovery organizations
* Help create sustainable funding for food recovery organizations
* Build more resilient communities
The new regulations require jurisdictions to adopt ordinances and implement programs that will require certain businesses to recover and donate edible food by January 1, 2022.
DISCUSSION
The Santa Clara County Recycling and Waste Reduction Commission (RWRC) entered into an agreement with Joint Venture Silicon Valley (JVSV) to develop and manage a countywide edible food recovery program. JVSV has brought together a Food Recovery Steering Committee to strategize implementation procedures; create education and outreach; develop a countywide ordinance; and make recommendations on f...
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