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San Francisco reports rising edible-food recovery under SB 1383; pursuing enforcement and compost distribution
Summary
Department staff reported growth in edible food redistribution and grant-funded compost distribution under California SB 1383, including 3,000 tons of donated food reported for 2024 and a $1.1 million state grant used to redistribute compost to nearby farms and urban-agriculture partners.
San Francisco Environment updated the Commission on Aug. 25 about local implementation of California Senate Bill 1383, focusing on edible-food recovery and procurement of organic products.
Hilary Neer, senior commercial zero-waste coordinator, said the city’s edible-food recovery reporting for calendar year 2024 showed over 3,000 tons donated in San Francisco by about 80 organizations, up from about 2,000 tons in 2023. "This represents both improvement in reporting and the impact of networking and grants to expand edible food recovery," Neer said.
Neer described grant-funded investments in edible-food infrastructure, transportation and driver services; she said San Francisco received a $1.1 million local-assistance grant from CalRecycle that the department has used to redistribute compost and support food-recovery logistics. Through grants and partnerships with Rec and Park and local farmers, staff reported distributing roughly 18,000 tons of compost to small farmers and urban-agriculture projects in nearby counties.
On procurement, Neer said jurisdictions are required to purchase organic waste products based on population to help build markets for compost and mulch. San Francisco worked with state partners and supported AB 2346, which reduced procurement obligations for jurisdictions with mature organics markets; Neer said that reduced San Francisco’s procurement factor roughly in half, though the city still needs to establish pathways to meet the adjusted target.
On enforcement and compliance, Neer said the city’s Chapter 32 mandatory edible-food recovery ordinance codifies SB 1383 requirements and that enforcement of edible-food generator obligations (for businesses required to arrange food-recovery agreements) took effect in 2024. She said staff are developing additional regulations and will hold a public meeting as they finalize enforcement steps.
Neer highlighted partnerships with San Francisco Unified School District on share tables, the Department of Public Health for inspections and with contractors to provide trainings to food generators and recovery organizations.
Commissioners asked whether the regulated entity is the county or the city; Neer confirmed the regulated entity for San Francisco is the City and County of San Francisco. She said the state has been reviewing San Francisco’s records as part of a review process and that staff expect feedback from the state.
The Commission received the report and asked staff to continue pursuing grants and enforcement planning.
