Target: Joseph R. Biden, President of the United States
Goal: Reduce national food waste by demanding restaurants donate unspoiled foods to charities for the homeless and hungry.
The U.S. is currently in the midst of a crisis. Largely due to national inflation, homeless populations have nearly tripled in recent months. An estimated 38 million Americans–including 12 million children–are currently experiencing food insecurity, and one out of every nine Americans doesn’t know where their next meal will come from.
Despite the homeless crisis, restaurants throughout the U.S.–on average–discard an astonishing 94% of excess food. This food typically ends up in landfills, where it takes up valuable space and contributes to global warming through the emission of methane gas. In comparison, about only 2% of restaurant’s excess food is donated or redistributed to people with food insecurities.
Sign this petition to demand federal legislation be enacted to encourage and incentivize restaurants to donate excess food to people who need it instead of contributing to global waste.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear President Biden,
In the wake of economic shock from the COVID-19 pandemic and current inflation, food insecurity among children and families–especially Black and Brown children and families–has increased substantially. Within the last few months alone, homeless populations in America have nearly tripled, and about one in every nine Americans don’t know where their next meal will come from.
The United States produces far more food than it needs. On average, restaurants throw away a whopping 94% of all excess food, while a mere 2% is redistributed to people with food insecurities. While some restaurants are reluctant to donate leftover foods because of liability concerns, the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act, passed in 1996, protects restaurants from civil and criminal liability should any recipient of donated food become sick.
We are asking you, President Biden, to enforce stricter regulations relating to food redistribution policies in restaurants throughout the U.S. We have the means to take on this hunger crisis, so why not take the necessary steps?
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Nom d’util
This is a great idea and will help millions suffering from hunger. PLEASE DO THIS.