Assembly Member Paula Elaine Kay announced that Governor Kathy Hochul has signed into law her legislation expanding the provisions of the state’s food recycling and donation program pertaining to supermarkets that don’t meet the threshold to be a Designated Food Scraps Generator for another five years until Dec. 31, 2031. Senator Pete Harckham sponsored the bill in the Senate.
The food donation and recycling law (S.9452 / A.10344) requires that smaller supermarkets that don’t meet the threshold to be a Designated Food Scraps Generator engage in good faith with food relief organizations who reach out in writing asking for donations of excess edible food. In this manner, the smaller stores can do their part to divert edible food from landfills and assist with the hunger crisis, without onerous or costly requirements.
“Fighting food insecurity has been a pillar of my legislative agenda since arriving in Albany, and it will continue to be until we make meaningful progress in addressing this growing problem,” Kay said, “This legislation is a crucial tool for the organizations on the front lines of this fight, helping ensure that more food reaches those who need it rather than rotting in...