Hello BESTers,

More good news this week on the federal government's fight against food 
waste.  U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree from Maine will be 
introducing a bill to the House that propose comprehensive solutions for 
reducing the nation's food waste.  Two main components of the bill will 
be to address the confusion and lack of oversight on date labels on 
food.  For those that remember, about 2 years ago the NRDC released a 
report discussing how date labels are a significant contributor to food 
waste (http://www.nrdc.org/food/files/dating-game-report.pdf).  The bill 
will also focus on increasing tax incentives for food donations, such as 
for farmers donating "ugly" produce to food banks.  Following on the 
heals of the goal set last month of cutting US food waste by 50%, I take 
this as another positive sign that those in power are beginning to 
recognize the importance of reducing food waste.  Once this bill is 
proposed, we should all encourage our congressperson to support it.

Have a great weekend,

Ryan

http://www.pressherald.com/2015/10/20/pingree-proposal-would-target-food-waste-sell-by-dates/

Chellie Pingree proposal would target food waste, ‘sell by’ dates
Meredith Goad
Portland Press Herald
October 21, 2015