Rep. Klarides-Ditria Supports Supermarket Food Donation Study
State Representative Nicole Klarides-Ditria (R-105) today supported a bill to create a state task force to study the issues of hunger and food insecurity and identify ways to encourage donations to food relief organizations.
The bill that passed the House unanimously, HB 5146 – An Act Concerning Food Donation – as amended, will establish a task force to study “examine, and make recommendations concerning, establishing a supermarket food donation program in this state that (1) alleviates hunger, reduces food waste and supports the operations of food relief organizations … and (2) ensures that all food donated as part of such program is safe and fit for human consumption.”
“Establishing a task force to study these important issues will help stakeholders have a say in the process and help the legislature craft strong legislation to truly address the needs of our residents,” Rep. Klarides-Ditria said. “Unfortunately, there are people in every community of our state who struggle to know where their next meal is coming from, or worse, go hungry on a daily basis.”
During the committee process, the bill received support from many food service organizations throughout the state, including Connecticut Foodshare, Mary Taylor Memorial United Methodist Church and former State Representative and current First Selectman of Greenwich Fred Camillo, who wrote, “While making sure those who may be having trouble affording the basic necessities in life is always the right thing to do, the current high inflation environment is adding to an already high cost of living here in our state making such an endeavor even more needed.”
The measure now moves to the State Senate and awaits action prior to midnight on Wednesday, May 4th when the legislature adjourns.