Statistics

USDA's statistics on hunger insecurity in greater Los Angeles states that 1 in 5 people don't know where their next meal is coming from. The Federal Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act and the California Good Samaritan Food Donation Act states :

• 1

  Liability protection for food donations to non profits.

• 2

  Civil and criminal liability protection should food donated in good faith later causes harm to the recipient.

• 3

  Liability protection for individuals that collect and distribute.

• 4

  No liability for food donated that has exceeded labeled shelf life date.

Protection

1. 1

   Federal Law: The Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act of 1996

2. 2 What does the law do:
   
   a. The law protects good faith food donors from civil and criminal liability, should the product later cause harm to its recipient. The Emerson Act gives uniform federal protection to donors who may cross state lines.
3. 3 Who is protected?
   
   a. The law protects food donors, including individuals and nonprofit feeding programs who act in good faith. More specifically, the law protects individuals, corporations, partnership, organizations, associations, governmental entities, wholesalers, retailers, restaurateurs, caterers, farmers, gleaners, nonprofit agencies, and more.
4. 4 What sort of food is protected?
   
   a. The Emerson Act provides protection for food and grocery products that meet all quality and labeling standards imposed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations even though the food may not be "readily marketable due to appearance, age, freshness, grade, size, surplus or other conditions".