The Facts
1.3 billion tons of food are wasted globally each year. This amounts to $1 trillion dollars (US). 800 million people around the world suffer from hunger. one quarter of all wasted food could feed everyone. one in six Americans face hunger. 12 Chester County agencies are feeding the hungry with excess food.
Legislation in America to Address Food Waste
Did you know that restaurants and markets can donate perishable food to the hungry without getting fined or sued? it’s true! in 1996, Congress passed the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act. This law protects good faith food donors (restaurants, hospitals, caterers, universities, sources of excess food, etc.) from civil and criminal liability if the food donated causes harm to its recipients. The Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act also provides uniform federal protection to donors who may cross state lines.
In December of 2015, Congress passed the PATH Act. It enables companies to earn an enhanced tax deduction for donation selected surplus property, including food. The bill provides more incentives to receive enhanced tax deductions permanently. It increased the deduction limit for charitable contributions on food from 10% to 15%.
The Solution
How can you help to end all of this food waste? Contact Fiorenza’s Food for Friends (F4). They will partner any business with excess food to a local non-profit that feeds the hungry. F4’s sole purpose is to eradicate world hunger by connecting sources of excess food to recipients in need. F4 is an unpaid broker who connects restaurants (or other sources of food) to the recipient (agencies) in need. If you want to learn more about donating excess food to those in need, or want to donate excess food yourself, please visit our website or our Facebook page. Please contact Brenda Russell at brussell@f4service.org with specific questions about combating hunger in America and beyond.
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