Long Beach Recycles

The City of Long Beach recommends working with a local organization to eliminate food waste and provide food to community members in need. There are many benefits of donating food from your business or home to a food rescue organization: 

• Contribute to a worthwhile cause that helps feed people
• Reduce food waste, resource use, and greenhouse gas emissions
• Comply with local mandates on waste including state law SB 1383. See edible food recovery requirements for SB 1383-defined commercial edible food generators. 
• Receive a tax deduction
• Reduce waste disposal expenses

Will I Be Responsible If Someone Gets Sick From My Food Donation?

These legislative protections make it safe to donate your edible food:

• The Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act federally protects from liability when donating food in good faith. The 2023 Food Donation Improvement Act further expands these protections.
• The California Good Samaritan Food Donation Act expands liability protection to cover donations given directly from food donors to end recipients and provides protection for “past-date” foods still fit for human consumption.
• The California Health and Safety Code Section 114433 protects food facilities from criminal liability for a violation that occurs after the time donation.