SB 1383 Edible Food Recovery - Businesses

Edible Food Recovery

In addition to the goal of reducing organic waste disposal statewide 75% by 2025, California aims to recover 20% of edible food currently being thrown away to help feed the 1 in 4 Californians without enough food to eat. Businesses that generate edible food must recover edible food that would otherwise be disposed of by contracting with food recovery services or organizations, or self-haul the edible food to organizations that will accept it. Therefore:

                             • The City is developing its food recovery program and strengthening its existing food recovery networks

                             • Food donors must arrange to recover the maximum amount of their edible food that would otherwise go to landfills

                             • Food recovery organizations and services that participate in SB 1383 must maintain records.

                             • The following food-related businesses must refer to the 'Food-Related Business' section for compliance information.

                                            • Large grocery store or supermarket (> 10,000 sq. ft.), 

                                            • Wholesale food vendor

                                            • Food service provider

                                            • Food distributor

                                            • Large restaurant facility (> 5,000 sq. ft. or 250+ seats)

                                            • Large hotel with onsite food facilities (with 200+ rooms)

                                            • Health facility with onsite food facilities (with 100+ beds)

                                            • Large events and venues

                                            • State agency cafeterias (> 4,000 sq. ft. or 250+ seats)

                             • For more information on edible food recovery requirements for generators, visit the CalRecycle organics website.

Food Related Businesses

Tier 1 and Tier 2 (see definitions below) food-related businesses have additional roles in order to comply with SB1383.

Tier 1 businesses include wholesale food vendors, food service providers, food distributors, and grocery stores and supermarkets larger than 10,000 square feet. Tier 1 businesses typically have more produce, fresh grocer, and shelf-stable foods to donate. Tier 1 businesses must begin requirements January 1, 2023.

Tier 2 businesses include hotels with onsite food facilities and more than 200 rooms, health facilities with onsite food facilities and more than 100 beds, state cafeteria at least 5,000 square feet or with more than 250 seats, large venues and events, and restaurants at least 5,000 square feed and more than 250 seats. Tier 2 businesses typically have more prepared foods to donate, which often require more careful food handling to meet food safety standards. Tier 2 businesses must begin January 1, 2024.

How Can Tier 1 and Tier 2 Businesses Comply?

Tier 1 and Tier 2 businesses must:

                             • Establish a contract with a food recovery service or organization.

                             • Donate the maximum amount of edible food

                             • Maintain records of donations

Edible Food Rescue Capacity Assessment

In 2021 Zero Waste Humboldt completed an Edible Food Rescue Capacity Assessment for the City of Arcata and City of Eureka. This assessment included outreach to local food waste generators (grocery stores, food distributors, food vendors, restaurants, hotels, health facilities, and educational agencies), as well as in depth interviews with local food recovery organizations. This report gives insight to local food waste and food security issues and can be read in its entirety by clicking here.

Food Pantries and Food Recovery Organizations

Food for People works throughout Humboldt County to eliminate hunger and improve the health and well-being of our community through access to healthy and nutritious foods, community education and advocacy. Their website in Spanish can be found here.  You can also visit the city's website Feed People Not Landfills, which has more information on food waste prevention and recovery.

The following organizations also provide supplemental groceries to households as well as accept donations of edible food: