NO TIME TO Waste Act);
NO TIME TO Waste Act);
Plain Language Summary
# NO TIME TO Waste Act (S. 1395) Summary **What the Bill Does:** The NO TIME TO Waste Act would direct the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to lead a coordinated federal effort to reduce food loss and waste across the country. The bill distinguishes between "food loss" (food that doesn't reach consumers due to problems during production, storage, processing, or distribution) and "food waste" (edible food that goes unconsumed at retail stores or in homes).
To accomplish this goal, the bill would establish a dedicated USDA Office of Food Loss and Waste and create grant programs to help states and local communities track and reduce waste. **Who It Affects:** This bill would impact farmers, food processors, retailers, restaurants, consumers, and state/local governments. It would also involve coordination between three federal agencies: USDA, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). **Current Status:** The bill is currently in committee and has not yet been voted on by the full Senate. As of now, it remains in the early stages of the legislative process with no indication of when or if it will advance for a floor vote.
CRS Official Summary
New Opportunities for Technological Innovation, Mitigation, and Education To Overcome Waste Act or the NO TIME TO Waste ActThis bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to reduce U.S. food loss and waste (FLW) through federal coordination, grants, and education.Under the bill, food loss means the food that does not reach a consumer as a result of an issue in the production, storage, processing, or distribution phase. Food waste means that food intended for human consumption is unconsumed for any reason at the retail or consumption phase.The bill requires USDA to collaborate with the Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency to carry out a December, 17, 2020, agreement to coordinate federal efforts to cut FLW.Further, USDA must establish an Office of Food Loss and Waste to support the existing role of the Food Loss and Waste Liaison. The office must also, among other things, establisha grant program to support collecting data on existing state and local FLW policies (and the office must use the data to establish model policies for state and local governments);a block grant program for states and Indian tribes to develop and support food recovery infrastructure and innovative food distribution models; anda grant program to incentivize state, municipal, local, and tribal governments to establish public-private partnerships that commit to reducing FLW by 50% by 2030.The Office of Food Loss and Waste must also initiate a national FLW education and public awareness campaign.
Latest Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.