Missouri House Bill HB1943

Missouri 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/5/22
• Refer: 5/13/22

Caption

Allows public schools and public higher education institutions to donate unused food to certain farms

Impact

The legislation specifically amends chapters 160 and 174 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri to introduce sections 160.091 and 174.351. These new sections provide the legal basis for educational institutions to donate food while clarifying what constitutes acceptable recipients. Notably, the bill protects the donating institutions from liability, which could potentially address concerns about food safety and liability related to food donations. As a result, it is anticipated that more institutions will agree to donate unused food, thereby minimizing waste and supporting local agricultural operations.

Summary

House Bill 1943 allows public schools and public higher education institutions within Missouri to donate unused food that they have prepared to certain types of farms, farmers, or farming operations. This initiative aims to reduce food waste in educational institutions and promote sustainability by redirecting surplus food to farmers who need it, thereby contributing to the local agricultural economy. The bill seeks to create a legal framework for these donations to encourage schools and colleges to participate more actively in food redistribution efforts.

Contention

While the bill is largely framed as a positive step towards sustainability and reduction of food waste, some points of contention may emerge around the classification of eligible farms and the potential implications for local food distribution networks. The definition of the types of farms eligible for donation excludes 'class IA, class IB, or class IC' farms, which may raise questions about equity and access to resources for various farming operations in Missouri. Ensuring that the chosen farms are adequately prepared to handle and distribute the donated food could also be a topic of discussion as the bill progresses.