National Food Waste Reduction Act

To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a food waste research and technical assistance program and grant program, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the National Food Waste Reduction Act 2. Food waste research program (a) Establishment The Food Loss and Waste Reduction Liaison of the Department of Agriculture (in this section referred to as the Liaison Program (b) Food waste research program requirements (1) Duties In carrying out the Program, the Liaison, in partnership with the 5 regional partner institutions selected under subsection (c), shall— (A) plan, conduct, and arrange for public research, data, education, and recommendations within the areas of study specified in paragraph (2), as such areas relate to food waste reduction and food recovery issues nationwide, regionally, and locally; (B) carry out the activities of the Program within a variety of regions in the United States, which are identified and categorized by the Liaison based on the specific food recovery and food waste reduction issues of such regions; (C) identify areas to increase efficiency in the allocation of resources, coordination, cooperation, and consolidation of efforts as they relate to local, statewide, Tribal, regional, and Federal food recovery and food waste reduction efforts; (D) create a Program website, as described in paragraph (4), to disseminate information to the public; and (E) collaborate with other colleges, universities, and nonprofit organizations in the regions selected by the Liaison that have demonstrated capability for research, information dissemination, and professional training in order to develop regional networks that are knowledgeable in food waste reduction issues. (2) Areas of Study In carrying out the duties listed in subsection (a), the Liaison and the regional partner institutions shall consider the following areas of study: (A) Reducing the volume of surplus food produced. (B) Feeding individuals in need to utilize excess food, including through the use of donations of surplus food. (C) Diverting food unusable for purposes of subparagraph (B) to feed animals. (D) Utilizing food waste to create renewable energy sources. (E) Composting food waste to create nutrient rich soil. (F) Diminishing the deposits of food waste in landfills and reducing the incineration of food waste. (3) Use of Funds (A) In General The Liaison may make funds available under this section to improve the facilities of the regional partner institutions to a level that meets the requirements of the role of a regional partner institution. (B) Plan A regional partner institution may not receive any funding for any facility upgrade under subparagraph (A), unless— (i) the regional partner institution submits to the Liaison a plan detailing the type of facility construction or improvements to take place (including any land acquisition, engineering, design, and staffing and equipment needs, in addition to other information as required by the Liaison); and (ii) the Liaison approves such plan. (C) Non-Federal Cost Share for Facility Improvement A regional partner institutions shall be required to provide at least a 20 percent non-Federal cost share for facility improvement or construction projects pursued by a regional partner institution under subparagraph (A). (D) Matching Funds for Operating Expenses A regional partner institution shall be required to provide at least a 30 percent non-Federal cost share for all Program operating expenses related to such regional partner institution. (E) Wage Rate Requirements A construction activity carried out pursuant to this section shall meet Federal prevailing wage requirements as determined by the Secretary of Labor in accordance with subchapter IV of chapter 31 of part A of subtitle II of title 40, United States Code, (commonly referred to as the Davis-Bacon Act (4) Food waste research program website The Liaison shall establish a website that shall contain at least the following information: (A) Key findings and best practices. (B) A list of collaborations and partnerships carried out pursuant to this section. (C) Annual reports and other pertinent information on the duties of the Program. (D) The location and contact information for regional partner institutions. (E) Federal, State, local, and regionally specific public research, data, education, and policy recommendations that shall be updated in a timely manner with new information. (F) Tools for tracking reduction efforts and measuring food waste production. (c) Selection of regional partner institutions (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the Liaison shall select 5 regional partner institutions to partner with to carry out the requirements of the Program. (2) Criteria for Regional Partner Institutions In making a selection under paragraph (1), the Liaison shall select an institution of higher education that— (A) has a focus or expertise in at least one of the areas of study described in subsection (b)(2); (B) has the ability to plan, conduct, and arrange for public research, data, education, and recommendations related to food waste reduction and the areas of study described in subsection (b)(2); (C) can assist the Liaison in fulfilling the duties listed in subsection (b)(1); (D) can contribute the required non-Federal funding to maintain a regional partner institution center; and (E) satisfies any other criteria determined by the Liaison. (3) Eligible sub-awardees A State, Tribal, or local government, local educational agency, agricultural or commodity organization, farmer, or other organization focused on food waste prevention may serve as an eligible sub-awardee of a regional partner institution if the entity meets the requirements of subparagraphs (A) through (C) of paragraph (2). (4) Employment status Members of regional partner institutions shall not be considered Federal employees for any purpose. (d) Collaboration with Federal, regional, State, Tribal, and local governments and organizations The Liaison, in conjunction with the 5 regional partner institutions selected under subsection (c) shall collaborate and share best practices on regional, State, Tribal, and locally specific food waste and food waste reduction issues with— (1) State and county governments; (2) Tribal governments; (3) units of local government; (4) local educational entities; (5) colleges and universities; (6) agricultural and commodity organizations; (7) farmers; and (8) organizations focused on food waste prevention. (e) Information collection and dissemination (1) Report of regional partner institutions Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this section, and annually thereafter, the regional partnership institutions shall submit to the Liaison a report containing the activities, partnerships, collaborations, Federal policy recommendations, previous and continuing budgets, findings, and any other applicable information carried out under the Program. (2) Liaison report Not later than 15 months after the date of the enactment of this section, and annually thereafter, the Liaison shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate and publish on the Program website an annual report containing a compilation of the activities, partnerships, collaborations, Federal policy recommendations, previous and continuing budgets, findings, and any other applicable information relating to the Program. (3) Review of report The Liaison shall review the annual report from the regional partner institutions to ensure that funds are being used efficiently according to the duties of the Program and that the Program is producing utilizable public research, data, education, and recommendations related to food waste and food waste reduction issues. (f) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2022. 3. Grants to research centers or non-profit organizations (a) Grant authority Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the Food Loss and Waste Reduction Liaison of the Department of Agriculture (in this section referred to as the Liaison 7 U.S.C. 6924(c) (b) Application To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, an eligible entity shall submit to the Liaison an application at such time and in such manner as the Liaison may require. (c) Criteria In making grants under this section, the Liaison shall consider, with respect to each applicant, the following: (1) The alignment of food loss and recovery programs and resources developed by such applicant with the Environmental Protection Agency Food Recovery Hierarchy. (2) The ability of the facilities and resources of such applicant to develop and deliver food loss reduction and recovery programs. (3) The experience of such applicant in developing high-impact food loss reduction and recovery programs and resources at the State, Tribal, regional, or national scale. (4) Previous collaboration of such applicant with other food loss reduction and recovery focused organizations in the private, nonprofit, and government sectors. (5) Any other information that the Liaison shall require. (d) Use of funds An eligible entity that receives a grant under this section shall use such grant to carry out the activities described in subsection (c) of section 224 of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 ( 7 U.S.C. 6924(c) (e) Duration Each grant under this section shall be for a period of 3 years. (f) Grant Renewal The Liaison may renew a grant under this section for an additional period of 3 years. (g) Federal share The Federal share of a grant under this section shall not exceed 70 percent of the costs of the activities carried out under this section. (h) Report to Congress Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Liaison shall submit to Congress a report describing the activities conducted under this section and the effects of such activities on food loss and waste reduction nationally. (i) Eligible entity defined The term eligible entity 7 U.S.C. 6924(c) (j) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2022.

Summary: National Food Waste Reduction Act This bill requires the Department of Agriculture's Food Loss and Waste Reduction Liaison to establish a Food Waste Research Program in partnership with five regional institutions of higher education. The program must focus on food waste reduction and food recovery issues on a national, regional, and local level and support certain areas of study, such as the diversion of surplus food to those in need and the use of food waste for environmental purposes. The program must share best practices for food waste reduction with governmental entities, agriculture organizations, farmers, and other relevant entities, and must post research and resources on its website. The bill also establishes a grant program for research centers and nonprofits to support other cooperative efforts relating to food loss and waste reduction.