A new bill introduced by Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Connecticut Democrat, and Rep. Chellie Pingree, a Maine Democrat, aims to lower food waste nationally by targeting schools and federal food vendors.
The Food Recovery Act calls on public schools to make use of “ugly” fruits and veggies; makes grants available for compost operations; includes the Food Date Labeling Act to standardize food expiration dates; and calls for the establishment of a Food Recovery Liaison at USDA to coordinate federal efforts. It also would require “companies that contract with the federal government to donate surplus food to organizations such as food banks and soup kitchens,” says a press statement.
“This bill would address inefficiencies that lead to waste across all aspects of the food supply chain — curbing the 62 million tons of food thrown out each year in the United States,” said Blumenthal. “Simplifying food date labeling and diverting healthy, wholesome food from landfills won’t just benefit the environment — it will help alleviate food insecurity and save consumers and businesses money.”