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SAN GABRIEL VALLEY COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS
One Valley. One Voice.
San Gabriel Valley Regional Food Recovery Program
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ABOUT THE PROGRAM
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, one-third of the U.S. food supply goes to waste. Food waste recovery organization, ReFED, estimates that food waste emissions from landfills are equivalent to that of 72 coal-burning power plants.
The passage of Senate Bill 1383 (SB 1383) in September 2016 imposed statewide targets to reduce the disposal of organic waste by 75% by January 1, 2025 (based on 2014 levels) and recover at least 20% of currently disposed edible food for human consumption by 2025. The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) finalized and adopted SB 1383 guidelines in November 2020 with the approval of the Office of Administrative Law.
As a result, the SGVCOG launched the San Gabriel Valley Regional Food Recovery Program on September 29, 2021 to support member agencies to comply with SB 1383's food recovery mandates and significantly reduce food waste in the San Gabriel Valley. Known as one of the largest regional food recovery programs in California, this Program includes assessing commercial edible food waste generators, identifying and fostering partnerships with local food recovery organizations, implementing outreach and education endeavors, and developing and implementing inspection protocols.
The SGVCOG is currently moving into Phase 2 of the SGV Regional Food Recovery Program. This expansion seeks to establish subregional food recovery hubs, increase the region’s food recovery capacity and infrastructure, and to continue to conduct outreach efforts to edible food waste generators, food recovery organizations, and residents about SB 1383 regulations.
For questions, please reach out to Mackenzie Bolger, Senior Management Analyst (mbolger@sgvcog.org).
Participating cities for the Program's capacity assessments and education components include:
Alhambra
Azusa
Covina
Duarte
Glendora
Irwindale
La Canada Flintridge
Monrovia
Monterey Park
Pomona
San Marino
South Pasadena
Temple City
Walnut
Participating cities for the Program's enforcement and inspection components include:
Azusa
Covina
Duarte
Glendora
Irwindale
La Canada Flintridge
Monrovia
Monterey Park
South Pasadena
Temple City
West Covina
RESOURCES
SB 1383 BACKGROUND
USEFUL WEBPAGES
SB 1383 COMPLIANCE
GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
1) SGVCOG Food Recovery Hub Grant Program
The SGVCOG seeks to award funding to assist in the development of food recovery hubs that will expand regional efforts to recover surplus edible food for distribution to smaller organizations and community members facing food insecurity. If you are a food recovery organization or food recovery service interested in serving as a hub, please review the application information and submit applications here by June 1, 2023 at 11:59 PM. If you have any questions, please reach out to Mackenzie Bolger (mbolger@sgvcog.org).
Key Dates:
Optional Virtual Informational Session: May 10, 2023 at 11 AM
Questions due to SGVCOG: May 16, 2023 by 5 PM
Proposals Due: June 1, 2023 by 11:59 PM
Awardees Announced: Mid-June 2023 (Tentative)
Eligible Program Cost Expended: March 31, 2024
Links:
2) CDFA Healthy Refrigeration Grant Program
The California Department of Food and Agriculture is awarding funding for energy efficient refrigeration units in corner stores, small businesses, and food donation programs in low-income or low-access areas. The SGVCOG is planning to submit an application and is seeking to partner with food recovery organizations in the San Gabriel Valley that require expanded refrigeration capacity.
If your organization is interested in joining the regional application, please contact Mackenzie Bolger (mbolger@sgvcog.org) by May 10.