Sustainable Food Management

Wasted food is a social, environmental, and economic problem in our communities. In order to address the issue, California law now requires all individuals and businesses to compost, and some businesses are required to donate edible food to those in need. 

What is Sustainable Food Management?

Sustainable Management of Food is a systematic approach that seeks to reduce wasted food and its associated impacts over the entire life cycle, starting with the use of natural resources, manufacturing, sales, and consumption and ending with decisions on recovery or final disposal. *

Managing food sustainably helps households and businesses save money, strengthens community support for those facing hunger, and conserves resources for future generations. 

Individual and Household Actions

Tips to Reduce Wasted Food

• Have produce that’s past its prime? It may still be fine to cook or bake with. Think soups, casseroles, stir fries, sauces, pancakes, smoothies. and baked goods (such as muffins).
• Learn the difference between “sell-by,” “use-by,” “best-by,” and expiration dates.

For more tips on Planning Grocery Trips, Food Storage, Meal Prepping, and more, visit the EPA's website.

Donate Edible Food to Food Banks

• If you have a fruit tree (or several!) that produces more fruit than you can use, consider registering with Contra Costa Fruit Rescue, a local nonprofit, so that their volunteers can harvest your fruit and donate it to a local food bank to feed people. 
• Consider volunteering with local food banks, food rescue organizations such as Contra Costa Fruit Rescue, and organizations that provide safety net services for vulnerable populations.

Compost Food Scraps

Composting is now required by law in California. All individuals, homes, and businesses must compost leftover food scraps and other compostable materials. In Walnut Creek, this means either composting at home or putting compostable materials into the green organics/compost bin. Visit RecycleSmart's website to see which items should go in the green organics/compost bin (paper towels and napkins are on the list!) and to find out how to compost food scraps at home.

The Cleaner Contra Costa Challenge also has resources on how to compost at home.