School Food Recovery Act (2021-22 Congress)

In September 2021, Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Jahana Hayes (D-CT), James P. McGovern (D-MA), and Ed Case (D-HI) introduced the School Food Recovery Act (H.R. 5459), which would have provided grants to carry out food waste measurement and reporting, prevention, education, and reduction projects in schools. This bill has not yet been reintroduced in the current congressional session.

Schools present unique and important food recovery opportunities. By cutting back on food waste, schools can save precious dollars. Food recovery efforts can also nurture children’s healthy impulses to conserve and serve to educate students about reducing food waste, thus building better future habits.  The bill would have promoted habit development through providing funds for food waste education, and food waste measurement, prevention, and reduction or the costs associated with purchasing equipment, training, or planning these projects.

This bill would have:

• Funded up to 75% of the total cost of a food waste reduction program.
• Prioritized projects that address food waste in accordance with the Food Recovery Hierarchy.
• Encouraged habit-building through experiential education activities.
• Emphasized collaboration with other eligible local educational agencies, tribes, nongovernmental and community-based organizations, and other community partners