A preliminary assessment of food policy obstacles in California’s produce recovery networks

• DOI: 10.1007/s10460-022-10407-1
• Publication Date: 2023-03-17T06:02:56Z
• Authors: Cristina Chiarella; Yulia Lamoureaux; Alda A. F. Pires; Rachel Surls; Robert Bennaton; Julia Van Soelen Kim; Suzanne Grady; Thais M. Ramos; Vikram Koundinya; Erin DiCaprio
• Keywords: Food Waste; Relevance

California is a landmark setting for studying produce recovery efforts and policy implications because of its global relevance in agricultural production, complex network food organizations, environmental public health regulations. Through series focus groups with organizations involved (gleaning organizations) emergency operations (food banks, pantries), this study aimed to deepen our understanding the current system determine major challenges opportunities related system. Operational systematic barriers were highlighted by both gleaning operations. barriers, such as lack appropriate infrastructure limited logistical support found be challenge across directly tied inadequate funding these organizations. Systematic regulations safety or reducing loss waste, also impact but differences observed how each type regulation impacted stakeholder group. To expansion efforts, participants expressed need better coordination within networks more positive transparent engagement from regulators increase specifics their unique operational constraints. The group provided critiques on assistance are inscribed longer term goals insecurity waste change will required.