Resident urges changes to food-donation rules as SNAP benefit cuts loom

Beth, a resident who spoke during the meeting's public comment period, urged Illinois and federal lawmakers to change rules she said force grocery stores to discard edible food because of 'sell by' and 'best use' dates, a practice she tied to growing food insecurity and potential reductions in SNAP benefits.

Beth said much food that is still safe to eat is thrown into dumpsters behind grocery stores rather than donated. "So much of the food in our country is being thrown out in a dumpster behind the grocery store," she said, adding that date labeling — like 'sell by' or 'best use day' — and liability concerns prevent donations to food pantries.

She argued that legislative changes at the state or federal level could reduce liability barriers and allow more food to be safely donated. "If our country could change the regulations about them donating that food, there would be more food available for the food pantries around the country," she said.

Beth recounted personal hardship to underscore her point, saying she had experienced severe food insecurity while her husband worked part time and calling the experience "excruciating" and "humbling." She made an explicit appeal to lawmakers: "No person in this country should lack food, especially when there's food being thrown into dumpsters that is perfectly edible."

She also referenced developments abroad, noting that "France is dealing with this issue about clothing and food very harshly" as a policy example to watch, but did not specify particular French laws or outcomes. The meeting record does not show a formal response to her remarks during the session. Her comments were made as part of the meeting's public comment period.