Jul. 18, 2024
Breaking the Barrier to Food Donation in Pennsylvania
If you find a can of soup in your pantry that is one month past its “best if used by” date, do you still eat it or do you throw it away?
Date labels on food are often misunderstood. Manufacturers use these labels to indicate the “best by” date for freshness, but they are not indicators of food safety, nor are they expiration dates. This misunderstanding leads to a lot of food waste, and more importantly, it exacerbates food insecurity issues in the Commonwealth because individuals and businesses refrain from donating perfectly good food due to a random date on a can.
In a state where more than 1.2 million residents, including 325,000 children, face food insecurity, the issue of surplus food donation is more urgent than ever. House Bill 2286, which passed the House and is now under consideration by the Senate, represents a significant step forward in addressing this crisis. One of the primary barriers to donating surplus food from individuals and businesses is the fear of liability if someone gets sick from the donated food. This bill aims to remove that barrier and encourage more food donations to those in need.
Pennsylvania does have laws in place to protect food donors. The Donated Food Limited Liability Act and a provision in Title 42 provide limited civil and criminal liability protections for those who donate food to nonprofit food recovery organizations. However, these protections do not explicitly cover the donation of food past its recommended label codes.
House Bill 2286 would address this gap by expanding the current immunity from civil and criminal liability to explicitly include donations of foods that have surpassed the manufacturer’s recommended label code date, provided the food is still fit for consumption. This clarification is crucial. It corrects that donating “past-date” food places the donor outside the scope of liability protection and aligns state law with recent changes to the federal Food Code, which encourages the donation of food that is safe to eat.
The impact of this legislation would be significant. By making minor, yet essential, adjustments to the Donated Food Limited Liability Act, we can create a link between surplus food and the families who need it. In doing so, we would not only reduce food waste but also alleviate hunger in our communities.
The passage of House Bill 2286 would send a strong message that Pennsylvania is committed to addressing food insecurity in a practical and meaningful way. It would reassure potential food donors their goodwill will not lead to legal repercussions, thus encouraging them to share surplus food rather than let it go to waste. This bill is a testament to the power of thoughtful legislation to create positive change, ensuring more food reaches those who need it most.
We must remember the fight against food insecurity requires bold actions and innovative solutions. House Bill 2286 is one solution, and its enactment would be a victory for all Pennsylvanians.
If you or someone you know is facing food insecurity, the Westmoreland County Food Bank can help. Learn more about its programs, volunteer opportunities and more at
westmorelandfoodbank.org/. The food bank is located at 100 Devonshire Drive, Delmont.
Here are some additional news topics and reminders I would like to share.
Dragon Egg Hunt Continues – The second wave of 15 dragon eggs is now up for grabs! My Dragon Egg Hunt coincides with a resolution I have sponsored recognizing Aug. 17, 2024, as International Geocaching Day in Pennsylvania.
I partnered with Dash Printworks, which has placed dragon eggs that can be searched for solo, as a family or with a team. If you find an egg, please read the enclosed note. Clues on where to find the eggs can be found at RepJillCooper.com, as well as on my Facebook and Instagram pages.
DISCLAIMER: Safety is paramount! Eggs will not be placed on private property or in locations that are dangerous or hazardous. If in your adventure, you or your party find yourselves in a hazardous environment or on private property, please re-evaluate the clues and hints.
Fair Scheduled for July 27 – Be certain to mark your calendar for my Community Health, Wellness and Career Fair, being held on Saturday, July 27, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Knead Café, Banquet on Barnes, 1011 Barnes St. in New Kensington. This free event is available to residents throughout the 55th District. Meet the organizations that serve our neighborhoods! There will also be a prize raffle and live bloodhound demonstration.
Legal Summit Planned for Aug. 9 – I will be partnering with Summit Legal Aid for a free event where you can learn about your legal rights and participate in an afternoon of community fun. It is taking place on Friday, Aug. 9, from 1-4 p.m. at Valley Points Family YMCA, located at 800 Constitution Blvd. in New Kensington. New Kensington and Westmoreland County residents are welcome to attend. Pre-registration is encouraged for food planning, but not required. You can register by visiting
summitlegal.org/new-kensington-summer-summit/. All attendees will be entered for a free basket raffle.
Representative Jill Cooper
55th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jordan Frei
724.875.8450
jfrei@pahousegop.com
RepJillCooper.com /
Facebook.com/RepJillCooper