California SB 1383 is a bill that sets goals to reduce disposal of organic waste in landfills, including edible food, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

• Recover Edible Food: Donate the maximum amount of edible food that would otherwise be disposed (e.g., in landfill or compost), so it can be used to feed people instead.
• Contract: Have a contract or written agreement with each food recovery organization or service that picks up or receives edible food from your business. Visit the CalRecycle​ website to read their Model Food Recovery Agreement to use as a reference when creating your own agreement.

• Track and Report: Maintain a list and copy of all Edible Food Recovery Services and/or Organization’s contracts or agreements that collects or receives food from your business. Maintain a record of the following for each contract or written agreement.
  • Name, address, and contact information of the service or organization.
  • Types of food that will be collected by or self-hauled to the service or organization.
  • The established frequency that food will be collected or self-hauled.
  • The pounds of food per month collected or self-hauled to a service or organization for food recovery.

Tier 1 Businesses: January 1, 2022

• Supermarkets
• Grocery stores (10,000+ sq. ft.)
• Food service providers
• Food distributors
• Wholesale food vendors

Tier 2 Businesses: January 1, 2024

• Restaurants (≥ 5,000 sq. ft. or 250+ seats)
• Hotels with on-site food facility and 200+ rooms
• Health facilities with on-site food facility and 100+ beds
• Large venues and events
• State agencies with cafeteria (≥ 5,000 sq. ft. or 250+ seats)
• Local education agencies with an on-site food facility

Food that ends up in landfills emits greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change.

1. Make sure the law applies to your business – email [email protected] for technical assistance at no additional cost.
2. Understand. Learn more about the requirements. For more information including model contracts, please visit: https://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/Organics/SLCP/FoodRecovery
3. Find a food recovery organization using our list.
4. Set up service.
   a. Safely collect and store food for pickup or delivery.
   b. Record the type, frequency, and pounds of food.
   c. Prepare for inspections.