Politics & Government

Got Surplus Food?

L.A. City Council instructs city departments to donate spare food—legislation could be model for nation.

The Los Angeles City Council on Wednesday unanimously approved new legislation that requires all city departments and elected offices to donate surplus food to food banks, pantries or other agencies that feed the needy.

The policy, proposed in 2009 by 14th District and endorsed by 5th District Councilmember Paul Koretz, passed by a 13-0 vote in the City Council. The Dec. 8 passage of the new law was greeted by an enthusiastic public applause in the Council's chamber in City Hall, which was packed to capacity.

"The idea is that every department in the city will distribute its surplus food among the needy," Huizar said shortly after the vote. "It's a historic step in eradicating hunger—and it's not going to cost us anything."

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Called the "City of Los Angeles Surplus Food Policy," the legislation requires city departments, proprietary departments and elected officials to notify contractors and subcontractors about the policy and to also encourage the donation of surplus food to food banks or other food assistance organizations, while adhering to health and safety standards.

Huizar said that the idea for the legislation came to him after he was approached by a local food advocacy group, Hunger Action Los Angeles, which urged him to do something about the estimated 5 million tons of consumable food that is wasted in California every year.

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"Our next step is to go to the private sector and see what they can do to donate surplus food—what legal restrictions they have," said Huizar, adding: "I am told this is the first time something like this has been in done in the country and our goal is to make donating surplus food as common as recycling."

There is a growing need for food donations in L.A. because unemployment figures in the city are 3 points higher than the national average—and one in six people who have never received food assistance in the past are getting emergency food aid, according to a news statement issued by Huizar's office.

The legislation requires the Los Angeles city attorney to ensure that all government contracts inform those doing business with city departments about their obligations regarding the food surplus program. The contracts will include details about what types of food can be safely donated and will also clarify federal "Good Samaritan" laws that protect donors against liability.

A report presented to the City Council by Chief Legislative Analyst Felipe Valladolid Chavez contains detailed guidelines about donor responsibilities. For example, some food donation programs limit the kinds of food they accept, including mayonnaise salads and raw meat because of the high risk of spoilage in those foods. Further, food banks often require donors to store food awaiting pick-up in reusable air-tight containers.

Other limitations and guidelines for the safe handling of food include:

  • Refrigerated food must be stored below 41 degrees Fahrenheit and prepared within 48 hours of donation.
  • Food that has been on display in cafeterias, buffets or retail concessions may not be donated.
  • Food cooked or canned at home, including pickled foods, may not be donated.

The City Council will get a report about the effectiveness of the food surplus program from the chief legislative analyst by Nov. 1, 2011.

As part of the legislation, a website, www.HelpFeedLA.org, has been established and the city's 311 operators can now refer callers to local food banks to donate or receive food services.


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