Responsible for managing SB 1383 compliance on behalf of unincorporated Ventura County, the Ventura County Public Works Agency (VCPWA) has contracted with Abound Food Care, an Orange County-based food recovery organization, to implement a regional food recovery program on behalf of the County of Ventura and the cities of Camarillo, Fillmore, Moorpark, Ojai, Oxnard, Santa Paula, Simi Valley and Ventura. In addition to compliance management, VCPWA is also responsible for preparing countywide capacity studies and supporting the area with regionally beneficial programs such as edible food recovery.
California State Senate Bill SB 1383 was passed to address food insecurity and reduce unnecessary food waste, and requires, by 2025, that California recover at least 20% of edible food that would have otherwise been sent to landfills.
Under SB 1383, businesses considered Tier 1 or Tier 2 edible food generators must recover the maximum amount of edible food that would have otherwise been disposed and, while doing so, must also contract with food recovery organizations or services and maintain food donation records.
Tier 1 edible food generators include food distributors, wholesale food vendors, food service providers, and grocery stores and supermarkets (10,000 square feet or greater).
Tier 2 edible food generators include hotels with at least 200 rooms and an on-site food facility, restaurant facilities (5,000 square feet or larger, or seating more than 250), local education agencies with an on-site food facility, health care facilities with an on-site food facility and 100+ beds, and large venues (including shopping centers and malls) and events with 2,000+ daily visitors.
Over the next several months, Abound Food Care will work with countywide Tier 1 and Tier 2 edible food generators to support SB 1383 compliance and provide information about local food donation options. As part of this effort, Abound Food Care will interact with business via phone calls, mail and in-person visits to confirm businesses are currently participating in food donation or assist them with implementing a compliant donation program.