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Creates a new USDA Office of Food Loss and Waste, new regional coordinators, and several grant programs and initiatives to reduce food loss and waste 50% (vs. 2016) by 2030. The bill funds research, data collection, technical assistance, pilot and composting programs, state/tribal block grants for recovery infrastructure, public–private partnership grants, and a national education campaign. Requires stronger federal reporting and contractor reporting on food loss and waste, sets measurement and reporting rules for grant recipients and partners, directs coordination across USDA programs, and authorizes multiyear funding (largely for fiscal years 2026–2030) to support grants, research, outreach, and implementation.
Administrator means the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
Commissioner means the Commissioner of Food and Drugs.
Food means any raw, cooked, processed, or prepared substance, ice, beverage, or ingredient used or intended for use in whole or in part for human consumption.
Food loss means, with respect to food, that the food does not reach a consumer as a result of an issue in the production, storage, processing, or distribution phase.
Food recovery means the collection of wholesome food that would otherwise go to waste and the redistribution of that food to feed people.
Primary effects:
Farmers and food producers: May receive support through regional coordination and technical assistance to reduce on-farm loss; may also face new measurement and reporting expectations when participating in federal programs or contracts.
Food manufacturers, processors, and food facilities: Could gain funding, partnerships, and technical help to improve storage, processing, and distribution practices that reduce loss; contractor reporting rules could increase compliance tasks for firms with federal contracts.
State governments and Tribal communities: Eligible for block grants and partnership grants to build local recovery and distribution infrastructure; required to pass funds to local entities and follow measurement/reporting rules—benefits include new capital, while administrative duties and matching requirements add implementation work.
Local food recovery organizations and food banks (food rescue organizations): Stand to gain infrastructure funding and stronger coordination with USDA regional coordinators, improving capacity to collect and redistribute surplus food; matching and pass-through requirements mean they will often depend on State/Tribal allocations or partnership contributions.
Consumers and communities: May benefit from expanded food recovery services, improved access to rescued food, and education campaigns that clarify food-date labels, safe storage, and composting practices.
USDA and federal contractors: USDA will take on expanded program administration, data collection, and reporting duties; contractors may face increased reporting requirements around food waste.
Potential trade-offs and burdens:
Amends 7 U.S.C. 6923(d)(2) by (1) expanding the list of governments in subparagraph (A) to include States and Tribal governments, (2) adding new clauses (iv) and (v) to subparagraph (C) requiring publication of application guidance for applicants lacking technical assistance and a requirement that the Secretary accept applications for a duration sufficient to allow smaller and rural communities to apply, and (3) inserting additional text into subparagraph (D) (insertion text in the provided section is incomplete).
Amends section 4 of the Federal Food Donation Act of 2008 (42 U.S.C. 1792). Modifies subsection (a) by (1) striking specified text in the matter preceding paragraph (1) and inserting new wording (text shown as: striking "180 days" and all that follows through and inserting "the Federal"), (2) changing paragraph (1) language from "encourages" to "requires," (3) adjusting punctuation in paragraph (2), and (4) adding a new paragraph (3) that requires contractors to submit reports to the applicable executive agency describing efforts/actions to prevent and reduce food loss and food waste, food waste through activities carried out under the contract, and food donated as described in paragraph (1). Also adds a new subsection (c) requiring each executive agency to submit to Congress every 2 years reports describing the matters reported under subsection (a)(3).
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NO TIME TO Waste Act);
Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced April 10, 2025 by Chellie Pingree · Last progress April 10, 2025
Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced in House