Cut Food Waste, Feed More People

Summary#

• This bill aims to cut food waste in Québec by half by 2030. It sets a clear target and tells the agriculture minister to make a multi‑year action plan and carry it out.

• It also requires many food businesses to work with recognized charities or other groups to handle unsold but edible food, instead of throwing it away.

• Key changes:

  • A 50% food‑waste reduction goal by 2030, with official measures to track progress.
  • The minister must create and run a multi‑year action plan.
  • Food processors, distributors, and retailers must make serious efforts to sign agreements with recognized local or regional organizations to reduce waste from unsold food.
  • The minister will keep a public list of recognized organizations and can set the rules to get on the list.
  • If no agreement is possible after real efforts, the minister can require a deal with Recyc‑Québec (the provincial recycling and waste agency) to manage unsold food.
  • Fines apply for breaking the rules, including on purpose making edible food inedible. Small retailers may get exemptions set by regulation.
  • Timeline: the minister must list recognized organizations within about two months of the law taking effect; businesses then have 18 months to comply.

What it means for you#

• Households and shoppers

  • You may see more edible food sent to local food banks and community groups instead of the trash.
  • Local charities may have more fresh food to share, which could shorten lines or improve variety.

• People using food banks and community services

  • More regular donations of unsold but safe food may improve access to fruits, vegetables, bread, and prepared items.

• Workers in grocery and food companies

  • Stores and warehouses will likely sort unsold food more carefully and set up pickup or delivery with recognized groups.
  • Staff may need to track unsold items and share basic information with the ministry.

• Food processors, distributors, and retailers (e.g., food manufacturers, wholesalers, grocery chains)

  • You must make serious, good‑faith efforts to sign a waste‑reduction agreement with recognized local or regional organizations.
  • Send a copy of any agreement to the minister within three months.
  • Provide information on unsold food and your efforts when the minister asks.
  • If you cannot reach a deal despite real efforts, you may be required to sign an agreement with Recyc‑Québec to manage unsold food.
  • Fines for violations range from $250 to $2,000, and $750 to $6,000 for repeat offenses. Violations include not making real efforts, not sharing required information, sending false information, or deliberately making edible food inedible.
  • Small retailers may get exemptions if the government sets them by regulation.

• Charities and community organizations

  • To receive food under these agreements, you must be on the minister’s list of recognized organizations and meet any criteria set by regulation.
  • You may get more offers of food, which could require more storage, refrigeration, and coordination.

• Farmers and restaurants

  • The bill targets processors, distributors, and retailers of food for people. It does not directly mention farms or restaurants.

• Timeline

  • The law starts six months after it is officially approved.
  • Within 60 days after that, the minister must publish the list of recognized organizations.
  • From that date, affected businesses have 18 months to comply.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

• This will put more good food on people’s tables instead of in landfills.
• A clear target and plan make the government and industry accountable for results.
• Prioritizing local groups cuts transport, keeps food fresher, and reduces emissions.
• It discourages harmful practices like spoiling edible food to prevent donation.
• The Recyc‑Québec fallback ensures unsold food is managed even if no local deal is found.
• Possible exemptions give flexibility to small retailers with limited space or staff.

Opponents' View#

• Compliance could be hard for small stores, adding costs for sorting, storage, and paperwork.
• “Serious efforts” is vague, which may lead to confusion or uneven enforcement.
• Charities may lack the capacity (trucks, fridges, staff) to handle more donations safely.
• Fines may be too low to change behavior, or enforcement may add red tape without big gains.
• The bill focuses on unsold retail and distribution waste, not earlier waste in the supply chain or household waste.