What is the Food Waste Free (FWF) certification? 

The FWF is a certification provided to food serving establishments who distribute all of their excess food loads for consumption rather than throwing away said excess food loads. Excess food loads include large quantities (any amount which would fill 2 or more full sized steam trays) of food which are left over after the period of service.

Any food service establishment which either a.) Distributes its excess food loads to its employees or b.) Distributes its excess food loads to food rescue organizations can receive an FWF certification upon request.

Why does the FWF certification exist? 

We, the Love Light Movement are an organization which is working to bridge the gap between food waste and food insecurity in Athens and Meigs County. As part of this initiative, we are working to come up with ways to incentivize food service establishments to stop throwing out excess amounts of food and rather give it to the people.

There are estimated to be over 11,230 residents of Athens County facing food insecurity which is approximately 18.3% of the Athens population. It is also noted that 20% of the children in Athens County are facing food insecurity (Feeding America, Map the Meal Gap, 2022). It is for this reason that distributing excess foods to people either directly to the employees, or through food rescue organizations like ourselves is so important. This helps bridge this gap of food waste and food insecurity.

There is no liability for restaurants donating food!

These are common questions which we as food rescuers hear over and over again. The answer to these questions is simple – there is absolutely no liability for any restaurant as long as a restaurant is not purposely trying to make people sick “intentional misconduct” or acting with complete disregard to the safety of others “gross negligence”.

No food service establishment in the United States has ever been sued over food they have donated due to extensive protections under State and Federal acts. 

Such acts include:

• Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act
• Ohio Revised Code 2305.37 (Person donating perishable food for distribution to needy individuals not liable for harm)
• Food Donation Improvement Act

The Love Light Movement does a deep dive on each of these acts to learn more click here

How Does a food service establishment Become FWF certified? 

To become FWF certified is a simple and free process. All an organization must do is complete the FWF certification process – an online application form which takes about 5-10 minutes. Within this form there will be an arrangement of questions which verify that your organization indeed does distribute leftover food when it qualifies as excess amounts (2 or more full sized steam trays). Such questions will include descriptions of how such excess foods are distributed.

Distributing excess food and therefore qualifying for the FWF certificate is EASY! 

It is a common misconception that properly distributing excess leftover foods is a costly and time-consuming task which hinders normal flow of operations. However nowadays this is not the case! There are ways to distribute excess food loads which are free, quick, and will not interrupt daily workflow.

The first method is to contact a free on demand food rescue organization such as the Love Light Movement. We come on call with our own equipment and food certified members to pack and transport the food. However – if an organization wishes to pack food themselves and just have us pick it up – that is completely fine as well! Options are not just limited to the Love Light Movement. Food rescue organizations like ourselves exist in most areas! The second free and easy method of distributing excess loads of food is to offer all excess foods for employees to take home. This method is quick, free, keep distribution in house – and helps give back to those individuals who have dedicated themselves to working for your food service establishment. There are of course other options to distribute excess food loads such as partnering with certain charitable organizations who feed the people and giving it to them directly.

All a food service establishment must do is offer its food to the restaurant employees – or make a simple phone call each time there is an excess amount of food and they will qualify for FWF!

Why become FWF certified? 

First and foremost – when you stop throwing away excess foods and instead distribute them to the people you are helping bridge the gap between food waste and food insecurity. Bridging this gap will help alleviate some of the pressures of food insecurity which plague thousands of people in Athens and Meigs County.

The FWF certificate is a symbol that your restaurant is dedicated to helping the people of the community. Taking the lead on important issues like this can help put your food service establishment on the map by showing customers that you not only care about profits but also about helping spread love to the people.