Newly enforced regulation will officially prohibit food banks and other charitable distribution efforts from accepting donated foods unless they come from “approved sources” and are traceable. This will have a significant negative impact on our emergency food systems because they rely on donations by gleaning groups. (Gleaning groups bring donated produce from small orchards, private gardens and small farms, with the sole intent to donate food to people who are hungry.)

Food safety is a serious concern for all food producers and consumers.  However, more important to me is that the most vulnerable people in my community, low-income families and the elderly, continue to have access to fresh and healthy food – especially if their circumstances are so challenging they must get it for free. Without fresh food, they face hunger, malnutrition, frailty and diet-related chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes. If AB234 is approved and implemented, these people will not have the fresh food they need because food banks will be required to refuse the many thousands of pounds of fresh food provided by gleaning groups simply because they are unable to provide an approved source label. The language of AB234 does not address this unintended consequence.

I’m not aware of a food safety crisis warranting such a restrictive law that would include donated food and completely disregard the immediate disruption of fresh food donations to our community’s most food insecure, especially young children and the elderly. 

Please press PAUSE and consider that there are other, equally important voices that must be heard before the language of AB234 is implemented.