BACKGROUND:
Senate Bill No. 1383 was signed into law on September 19, 2016. It is the most significant waste reduction mandate to be adopted in the State of California in the last thirty years. SB 1383 required the reduction of organic waste disposal by 50% by January 2020 and 75% by 2025, respectively. Additionally, SB 1383 requires an increase of 20% in edible food recovery by 2025 and introduced regulatory requirements for both food generators and jurisdictions.
SB 1383 places many requirements on jurisdictions, including the establishment of an edible food recovery program that requires the following:
•Documentation
•Contracts between edible food generators and recovery organizations •Coordination
•Data collection
•Reporting
•Other requirements
The City is required to establish food recovery programs and strengthen its existing food recovery networks. Fines for non-compliance may be up to $10,000 per day.
DISCUSSION:
The City is required to ensure that Tier 1 generators (which includes grocery stores over 10,000 sq ft. in size, wholesale vendors, and food distributors) donate edible food, have contracts in place with the non-profit organizations to receive recovered edible food and ensure these generators are keeping records for inspection.
Starting 2022, the City is required to ensure compliance with the inspection of records to include review of contracts and data to ensure there is proper reporting on Tier 1 generators.
Cathedral City Tier 1 Generators (7):
•Stater Brothers (2 locations)
•Target
•Grocery Outlet of Cathedral City
•Cardenas
•Food 4 Less
•99 Cent Only Store
To successfully divert edible food from landfill disposal there is considerable infrastructure, systems and staffing needed to include:
•Tracking and coordination of systems
•Edible food contract management
•Data collection of types and weights of food recovered •Coordination and transportation of food and food safety training There would be considerable expense and staffing needed if the City were to implement an effective program internally. To offset these unfunded expenses and requirements, a partnership with a food recovery organization would enhance the success, reduce the costs, and ensure compliance by Cathedral City businesses.
FIND Food Bank has submitted a proposal (attached MOU) to the City of Cathedral City to help meet regulatory requirements and provide support to the Cathedral City Edible Food Recovery Program. FIND Food Bank is the Coachella Valley’s Regional Food Bank and has been operating since 1983. FIND has expertise, established systems, a network of volunteers and a history of providing food assistance directly, as well as distribution through other non-profit organizations. A partnership with FIND food bank will help the City and its edible food generators meet the SB-1383 requirements, reducing the risk of unnecessary fines.
Staff is requesting the City Manager be authorized to execute an MOU with FIND Food Bank and allocate funding in an amount not to exceed $16,500 annually from the City’s Environmental Fund to help meet SB 1383 regulatory requirements and provide support to the Cathedral City Edible Food Recovery Program.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The program cost for Tier 1 Edible Food Recovery Program for calendar year 2023 would be $16,500. The program would be funded out of available Environmental Fund 246 – MO3533 SB 1383 Program funds.