Food donors, such as grocery stores, distributors, caterers, cafeterias, and restaurants will set aside edible, surplus food for a nonprofit partner to collect on a predetermined schedule, or as needed basis. After the food is recovered, our nonprofit partners will weigh and record the food by product type in the San Diego Food Bank online web portal. Once the food is documented, it will be distributed to community members in need.

Food recovery helps feed those in need, while also reducing your carbon footprint. While up to 40% of all edible food is wasted in the United States, 1 in 3 people in San Diego County are food insecure. In addition, food waste decomposition in landfills is a significant source of methane emissions, which can lead to ozone depletion and climate change acceleration. These environmental impacts have led states to adopt new legislation to monitor edible food waste, such as Senate Bill 1383 in California.

Senate Bill 1383, which got into effect January 1, 2022, is an environmental law that was passed to reduce methane emissions in California through organic waste recycling. Certain food businesses will be required to donate the maximum amount of surplus edible food that is fit for consumption to food recovery organizations such as the San Diego Food Bank. Joining a food recovery program like the Fresh Rescue Program ensures that your edible food recovery needs are met in compliance with SB 1383.