We can help you take the next step!

The Center for EcoTechnology (CET) is building relationships in Virginia with stakeholders that are interested in addressing wasted food. With support from the Charlottesville Department of Public Works, CET evaluated and provided feedback on current and future food rescue and recovery efforts to improve food waste reduction and recovery in the City of Charlottesville.

CET is exploring partnering on projects to increase the capacity to address this important issue in Virginia. To learn more about CET’s work in Virginia and to get involved, contact CET today at 888-813-8552 or e-mail wastedfood@cetonline.org.

Helpful Virginia Wasted Food Resources

  • Charlottesville Resources include:
    • CET’s SWOT Analysis Report highlights the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to the wasted food marketplace that were identified across the region through stakeholder input.
    • Sustainability programs available to businesses include:
      • Virginia Green is a sustainable tourism consultant that promotes green practices in the hospitality sector.
      • The Charlottesville Green Business Alliance, a group created by the Community Climate Collaborative that motivates members to make climate emissions reductions pledges.
    • The University of Virginia is home to the Sustainable Food Collaborative. With a mission to further food sustainability, food justice, and food equity, the group aims to reduce waste and encourage composting both on campus and in the wider community.
  • Fairfax County resources include:
  • Cultivate Charlottesville is an organization that engages its community in building an equitable, sustainable food system. Since 2018, they have proposed Food Equity Initiative Policy Platforms that recommend strategies, funding priorities, and concrete goals to the City government.
  • The Federation of Virginia Food Banks facilitates statewide collaboration among Virginia’s food banks, partners, and communities. Their website offers the ability to search for your closest food rescue organization, provides connections to food services, and leads programs that encourage health and wellbeing through food access.
  • The U.S. Food Waste Policy Finder by ReFED details Virginia’s current food waste prevention, rescue, and recycling policies. This includes Virginia labeling regulations, liability protection regulations, tax incentives, animal feed regulations, and organic waste recycling law.

Virginia Legal/Regulatory Requirements

  • Every state has specific state-level legal and regulatory requirements regarding food waste and food donation. ReFED, a national food waste prevention nonprofit, created a searchable database of state-by-state food waste policies and regulations, in collaboration with the Harvard Food Law and Policy Clinic. View the Virginia food waste policy page for specific, up-to-date information about Virginia’s food waste laws.
  • The Emerson Act
    • The Federal Emerson Act (Public Law 104-210) protects donors from liability when donating to nonprofit organizations and protects donors from civil and criminal liability should the product, donated in good faith, later cause harm to the needy recipient.

Toolbox

For more information regarding food waste estimates, source separation guidance, and how to start a food donation program, open CET’s Toolbox.

TAKE THE NEXT STEP, CONTACT US!

Contact CET to learn more about food recovery and waste diversion opportunities for your business, institution, customers, or association members: