Senate Bill S9452

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S9452

SPONSOR: HARCKHAM
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend chapter 63 of the laws of 2021 amending the environ-
mental conservation law relating to supermarkets providing excess edible
food to food relief organizations, in relation to extending the effec-
tiveness of certain provisions thereof

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

The purpose of this bill is to extend the existing law that facilitates
the donation of food from supermarkets to food organizations and diverts
edible excess food from landfills.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 of the bill would amend Chapter 63 of the Laws of 2021 to
extend, until December 31, 2031, the requirement that supermarkets
donate excess food to food relief organizations and divert edible excess
food from landfills.
              

Section 2 of the bill provides the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Hunger is a pervasive problem in America and was exacerbated by the
pandemic and increasing food costs. An estimated 2.8 million New Yorkers
face hunger and food insecurity. By extending this law, food donations
to food relief Organizations will increase and the amount of food waste
diverted to solid waste landfills, which create dangerous emissions,
will be decreased.

Many food items that are close to or past the indicated date on their
packages are still safe for consumption; however, supermarkets regularly
dispose of these unused food items; This legislation will continue the
requirement that supermarkets of a certain size make this excess food
available to food relief organizations. While such supermarkets would be
required to participate, they are not required to provide a specific
quantity of food or transport and, distribute such food. Not only should
there be no cost to participating supermarkets - there may be savings
since supermarkets will no longer be required to pay to have excess food
discarded.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

This is a new bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.