(WTAJ) — Excess food at places such as supermarkets would get donated instead of thrown away under a proposed bill by a member of the Pennsylvania Senate.
Senator Maria Collett (D-Montgomery) plans to introduce legislation to help prevent food waste while supporting children and families in need, according to a published memorandum.
According to Collett, more than four billion pounds of food are sent to landfills in the Commonwealth. While Pennsylvanians have developed systems to help with the food insecurity of children, Collett said, “We can do more.”
“But we can do more. That is why I am proposing another step forward, modeled on legislation from New York, that will increase food donations to food banks and other similar providers,” she wrote.
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The legislation would call for certain businesses, such as grocery stores, restaurants, hotels, higher education institutions and event centers to provide access to excess food to Pennsylvania-based charities.
“In the alternative, these large generators will be required to separate and recycle all remaining food scraps should such an opportunity be reasonably available,” she added.
The USDA reports that 30 to 40 percent of America’s yearly food supply ends up in the garbage, equating to 100 billion pounds, or an average of 247 pounds per person at home.
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