Food Waste Diversion

Food can be kept out of the waste stream in different ways depending on the quality and type of the food or food scraps.

These include:

1. Donating extra food that is still safe to eat to hunger relief agencies.
2. Sending food scraps to livestock producers.
3. Signing up for organics (food scraps) collection with a waste hauler.

Donating food to reduce waste is not only good for the environment but also feeds those in need.

Perishable food products can be easily donated by visiting Meal Connect's website. You will be asked to create an account and post your product as a donation. Meal Connect has transportation logistics in place to collect and deliver food to a partner kitchen. You can also partner directly with your preferred hunger relief agency, many can be found on the Ramsey County Food Access Locations map.

Remember to keep perishable food safe when donating:

• Food must be in good condition, and not have been served to customers already.
• Hot food donated hot must be kept at least 135 F or above.
• Hot food that is cooled and donated cold must be cooled from 135 to 70 F within two hours, and to 41 F within six hours.
• Cold food must be kept at 41 F or below.
• Label food and list possible allergens.
• Mark the date prepared food was made.

Businesses and organizations that safely donate food to a nonprofit for distribution to needy individuals are not subject to civil or criminal liability that arises from the condition of the food.

Food donors are protected by the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Act, which was passed into federal law in 1996.

Feeding food waste to livestock can be an economical and nutritious form of animal feed, but it must be done properly. Food waste that contains meat or has been exposed to meat has the potential to carry disease.

Livestock producers must have a permit from the Minnesota Board of Animal Health to ensure they are taking steps to prevent possible diseases. Food scraps should only be sent to permitted livestock producers found on the list on the Minnesota Board of Animal Health website.

Non-residential trash service customers pay a 53% County Environmental Charge for trash collected in Ramsey County. These charges DO NOT apply to organic material (food scraps) collected for composting.

Separating your food scraps and compostable items for organics collection can save a significant amount of money. BizRecycling offers grants to help businesses get started.

Most waste haulers operating in Ramsey County offer organics (food scraps) collection services for commercial customers. Contact your waste hauler for more information.

A 20% license fee discount is available to food establishments licensed by Ramsey County that reduce their food waste.

Current food license holders can apply for the discount throughout the year and automatically receive licensee fee discount application information each Fall. Discounts for qualifying businesses are applied to the food license renewal fees for the upcoming year.

Applications for new food establishments are due prior to completion of the final plan review inspection or issuance of a new food license.

• How Food Waste Diversion Works. (PDF)
• Ramsey County Food Waste Diversion Discount Application. (PDF)

Even more savings are possible through BizRecycling. Financial resources available include grants for starting or improving recycling and organics (food scraps) collection.

Federal law allows a deduction for donated food. Eligible businesses can deduct the lesser of either:

(a) Twice the cost of acquiring the donated food, or

(b) The cost of acquiring the donated food, plus one-half of the food’s expected profit margin, if it were sold at its fair market value.

Contact your tax professional to determine its application to your business.