AB 540

This bill requires the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer

Protection to award an annual grant to a nonprofit organization that operates as a

statewide association of food banks to promote the donation of excess and

unmarketable farm and food products from farms and food processing facilities to

food banks and emergency feeding organizations. In awarding the grant, DATCP is

required to award $1 for every $1 of private funds the grant recipient raises for this

purpose, up to a total of $250,000 in a fiscal year. Under the bill, DATCP must require

the grant recipient to use the grant money to reimburse farmers and food processing

facilities for the cost of harvesting, packaging for transport, and transporting to food

banks or emergency feeding organizations excess or unmarketable farm and food

products and to process, warehouse, and transport donated farm and food products

to food banks, emergency feeding organizations, food processing facilities, and food

pantries. The bill prohibits DATCP from awarding this grant after June 30, 2024.