Food Recovery Requirements

California's SB 1383 requires large generators of food waste — including many school districts — to recover surplus edible food and donate it to feed people. Redirecting surplus food helps reduce food insecurity in our communities while keeping organic waste out of landfills, where it produces methane, a powerful greenhouse gas.

What Schools Must Do

Under SB 1383, school districts that meet food-generator thresholds must:

Establish written agreements with food recovery organizations to pick up or receive surplus edible food
Donate the maximum amount of surplus edible food that would otherwise be discarded
Keep monthly records of the type, frequency, and pounds of food donated — see tracking requirements and forms
Store surplus food safely so it doesn't spoil before pickup — review food safety and date label guidance
Provide annual notifications to staff about food recovery programs

There are no waivers for the edible food recovery requirements. For detailed compliance steps — including how to assess your surplus, find a partner, and set up a donation process — see Food Donation Rules. The Food Donation FAQ covers common questions about liability, waivers, and what to do if donations are declined.

If your district has received a non-compliance notice, you can submit proof of compliance online. StopWaste collects this information on behalf of local jurisdictions and CalRecycle.

Getting Started

If your district hasn't yet set up food recovery, here's a practical path forward:

Assess your surplus. Track what's left over after meal service for 1–2 weeks to understand volumes and patterns.
Find a food recovery partner. Use StopWaste's partner directory or connect through the Alameda County Food Recovery Network (40+ active organizations).
Set up a written agreement. Use the simplified School Food Recovery Agreement template to formalize your partnership.
Train staff and start donating. Designate a food recovery lead, set up a labeled holding area, and coordinate pickup times around your meal schedule.
Track and report. Log donations monthly using a printable donation log. Keep records for at least five years.

For industry-specific guidance tailored to K-12 cafeterias — including holiday break protocols and student-safe recovery practices — see the K-12 Schools section of the Industry Guides.

Food Share Tables

In addition to donating to recovery organizations, many schools set up food share tables where students can return unopened, whole food items for other students to take. Share tables aren't required by SB 1383, but they're a best practice that reduces waste and feeds students at the same time. See Food Share Tables & Donation for setup guides and training videos.

How StopWaste Helps

StopWaste provides free compliance support for school districts in Alameda County:

Templates and guidance — Sample agreements, donation logs, and step-by-step documentation to streamline compliance
Partner connections — Help identifying and connecting with food recovery organizations serving your area
Technical assistance — On-site support for donation logistics, food safety protocols, and staff training
SAGE Network — The StopWaste Advisory Group in Education connects districts to share compliance strategies and best practices

Tools and Templates for Schools

School Food Recovery Agreement - Simplified Template

SB 1383 regulations requires local education agencies with an on-site food facility to hold a written agreement with food recovery organizations and/or services that will recover their surplus edible food. This template is a simplified food recovery agreement that can fulfill this requirement.

Food Donation Guide: Helping Schools Save Food

A four-page introduction for Alameda County schools interested in setting up a donation program for surplus edible food. Includes guidance on legal protections, program models, food safety precautions and how to find and form a partnership with a food recipient non-profit partner. This guide was created in partnership with the Oakland Unified School District and to the Alameda County Department of Environmental Health.

Detailed Printable Food Donation Log

The detailed form is recommended for sites who may have frequent or recurring donations, may require additional space to log donations for a single month, or wish to organize donations by food type (produce, dry goods, meat, etc.). It also provides space to record the reason for surplus in any given month.

Front cover of the School Holiday Break Donation Guide

Helping Schools Save Food: Donate Before Holiday Breaks

A two-page guide for Alameda County schools interested in setting up a donation program before holiday breaks.

Best Practices to Reduce Surplus Edible Food

20% of all food that goes unsold or uneaten nationwide comes from businesses like grocery stores, restaurants, and institutional kitchens (source: ReFED). The best practices presented here can help commercial food generators minimize food waste and ensure that any unavoidable surplus goes to its highest use—nourishing people.

SB 1383 Edible Food Recovery Alternative Compliance Form

State law SB 1383 requires certain Commercial Edible Food Generators to hold a written agreement with food recovery organizations and/or services (FRO/FRS) that will recover (accept donations of) their surplus edible food. Sites covered under the law that choose not to enter into such agreements must use this form to document their practices that result in no edible surplus food generated, and/or alternative surplus food donation methods. For more information about alternative compliance methods download the guide: Best Practices to Reduce Surplus Edible Food. Available in English, Chinese