Resolve, Directing the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry To Develop a Policy To Reduce Food Waste in All State-funded Institutions

Sec. 1. Development of plan. Resolved: That the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry and the Commissioner of Environmental Protection shall jointly develop a comprehensive policy to reduce food waste in all state-funded buildings and institutions. In developing the policy, the commissioners shall consider initiatives undertaken in other jurisdictions, including but not limited to policies that support, within state-funded buildings and institutions:

1. The collection of leftover food from cafeterias and food service entities and the identification and donation of appropriate food items to nonprofit organizations, food pantries and shelters;

2. The collection of food waste and the distribution of appropriate food waste to farmers and others to be used as food for livestock;

3. The composting of food waste and the distribution of such compost to farmers and growers for use in production of new food products; and

4. The use of compost created pursuant to subsection 3 on state grounds, including but not limited to Capitol Park, state parks and the grounds and landscaping of state-funded buildings; and be it further

Sec. 2. Report. Resolved: That the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry and the Commissioner of Environmental Protection shall jointly submit a report detailing the policy developed pursuant to section 1, together with any recommendations, to the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry no later than December 4, 2013. The committee may submit legislation to the Second Regular Session of the 126th Legislature to implement recommendations contained in the report.

summary

This resolve requires the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry and the Commissioner of Environmental Protection to develop a comprehensive policy to reduce food waste in all state-funded buildings and institutions and to submit a report detailing the policy, together with any recommendations, to the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry by December 4, 2013. The committee may submit legislation to the Second Regular Session of the 126th Legislature to implement recommendations contained in the report.