Two students from Lincoln School presented a bill that will allow business premises to give away food that they will not sell to people in need, instead of throwing it to the dumpster.
The initiative, called ” Compartamos la Mesa “, was developed by students María Paula Mora and Nicole Arrea, under the supervision of the Office of Popular Initiative of the Legislative Assembly, and it was hosted by legislator Fabricio Alvarado, from Restauración Nacional.
The project, whose purpose is to avoid wasting food on business premises, would add three articles to the General Health Law.
One would give traders permission to donate food that they could not sell at the end of the day and they would be excused from all responsibility related to the fate and use it receives from their counterparts: associations, foundations and non-profit organizations.
The benefactors would have to guarantee a correct collection, transport and conservation of the food until it is delivered.
To this end, the National Food Distribution Program for Human Consumption would be created, which would be a responsibility from the Ministry of Health and it would count on the support of the municipalities, the Mixed Institute of Social Assistance (IMAS) and the Ministry of Labor.
These entities would keep track of public or private organizations of social welfare that may be benefactors, collectors and beneficiaries of the program.
The Ministry of Health would issue a certificate to program participants, who will be evaluated annually to guarantee the full compliance of the objectives of the law.