Chester Community Food Bank

03/20/2026

Food Distribution in Roberta Ga

03/19/2026

Good Morning 😃

03/19/2026

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03/15/2026

01/25/2026

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In 2016, France passed a pioneering anti-food-waste law (Loi n° 2016-138) that bans large supermarkets from throwing away or destroying unsold but still edible food, and instead requires them to donate it to charities or food banks. 
• The law applies to supermarkets over 400 m² (about 4,305 sq ft), which must sign agreements with charities or food banks to hand over surplus food. 
• Stores that fail to comply can face penalties and fines (historically up to several thousand euros, with later legislation increasing sanctions for outright destruction of edible food). 

🥖 Why it was introduced
• France was trying to tackle both food waste and food insecurity — millions of tonnes of edible food were being discarded while many people struggled to access food. 
• Before the law, some stores even spoiled edible food (e.g., by soaking it in bleach) to prevent anyone from taking it — which the law specifically outlaws. 

🌍 Impact and broader context
• The law has increased food donations from supermarkets (by about 20 % or more according to some reports) and improved the quality and variety of food available to food banks and charities. 
• It also helped put food waste reduction on the legal agenda, inspiring similar measures and wider anti-waste efforts in France and beyond. 

🧠 How it fits into bigger French policy

This supermarket donation requirement is part of a broader set of policies aiming to cut food waste by 50 % by 2025, including limits on best-before-date labels and education efforts about waste reduction. 

01/21/2026

Free Food!! Please Share!