CR&R Food Waste Prevention Plan

Did you know… California produces nearly half of the nation’s fruits and vegetables, yet 1 in 7 Californians currently struggle with food insecurity? “Food Insecurity” is the occasional or constant lack of access to the food one needs for a healthy, active life.

CR&R is supporting efforts to keep edible food out of the recycle stream. This means supporting our customers to work their way up the “food recovery hierarchy” before they decide to discard usable food.

CR&R Food Rescue Partners:

Abound Food Care. Since its inception, Abound Food Care (formerly Waste Not OC) has called attention to hunger in Orange County and provided resources for businesses and healthcare providers to join a county-wide effort to end hunger. They have expanded partnerships with food banks, community clinics, schools, and other local agencies. Abound connects sources of surplus food county wide with organizations directly benefitting food insecure individuals.

OC Food Bank. OC Food Bank works with nearly 400 local charities, soup kitchens, and community organizations. Annually, OC Food Bank distributes 20 million pounds of food, a portion of which is rescued food. Their Donated Food Program facilitates donation of food from a variety of sources for distribution to vulnerable families throughout Orange County.

Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino Counties. Feeding America’s mission is to alleviate hunger in the Inland Empire. Presently Feeding America Riverside|San Bernardino Counties is the primary source of food for over 600 charities and nonprofit organizations, distributing over 2.5 million pounds of food monthly to a wide variety of sources, serving more than 400,000 people in the Inland Empire.

Food Finders. Food Finders mission is to eliminate hunger and food waste while improving nutrition in food insecure communities across Southern California. Since April of 1989, Food Finders has received more than 144 million pounds of donated, wholesome food, providing enough food for more than 120 million meals. Food is delivered same-day to nonprofit shelters, missions, pantries, senior/youth centers, recovery homes, social service agencies via a network of volunteers and staff.

Anyone Can Be a Food Donor
Large manufacturers, supermarket chains, wholesalers, farmers, food brokers, and organized community food drives typically give food to food banks. Restaurants, caterers, corporate dining rooms, hotels, and other food establishments promptly distribute perishable and prepared foods to hungry people in their communities. Many local food banks will pick up food donations free of charge, saving you warehouse storage and disposal costs.

Legal Basics
Corporate donors are protected from liability under the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act. Under this Act, as long as the donor has not acted with negligence or intentional misconduct, the company is not liable for damage incurred as the result of illness.

Safety Basics
Many non-perishable and unspoiled perishable foods can be donated to local food banks, soup kitchens, pantries, and shelters if the transaction is managed properly. Check with one of CR&R’s Food Rescue Partners to find out what items they will accept.

Tax Benefits
There are potential tax benefits for companies that donate food. Internal Revenue Code Section 170(e)(3) provides enhanced tax deductions to businesses to encourage donations of food to qualified non-profit organizations serving the poor and needy.

Have excess food to donate?
If you are interested in donating prepared or nonperishable food, contact one of CR&R’s Food Rescue Partners:

Waste Not OC Coalition
OC Food Bank
Feeding America Riverside|San Bernardino Counties
Food Finders
Other Food Waste Reduction and Rescue Resources

These organizations will be able to assist you with your donations and give you further ideas on how to support food rescue programs in your area.