Public schools can now donate excess food to food banks and pantries
Thursday, January 19, 2012
U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette (R-OH) is encouraging public
schools throughout NE Ohio to donate excess unused food to local
food banks and pantries. A change in the law now gives public
schools the same protections as restaurants and caterers that
donate to food banks under the Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation
Act.
The food donation measure, which became law in 1996, protects
donors to food banks from all liability -- criminal and civil --
yet did not provide public schools that same protection, LaTourette
said.
"It's rather ridiculous that restaurants and caterers were
protected but schools were not," LaTourette said. "This
is a great tweak to current law, especially when our food banks are
so busy aiding the hungry and those in need."
LaTourette said the new law will give public schools the peace
of mind they deserve if they choose to donate surplus food.
He said the letter of the law is clear and schools can contact
local food banks about making donations.
"It's tragic if schools have been throwing away good food since
they weren't protected like restaurants or caterers that made
donations," LaTourette said. "The change in law to
protect schools is long overdue."
LaTourette said the spending bill that funds the Department of
Agriculture includes language that brings public schools under the
umbrella of the 1996 food donation law. The change in
law was accomplished by amending the National School Lunch Act,
which provides free and low-cost lunches to children.
The House approved H.R. 2112, which includes the food bank
provision and funds agriculture programs, by a vote of 291-121 in
November. The measure was signed into law on November 18,
2011.
The change in law applies to public schools participating in the
national school lunch program as well as local educational
agencies. Federal officials have 180 days from the enactment
of the law to provide public guidance for schools that want to
donate food.