Action 2-2 · CE

By 2026 and annually afterwards, educate 100% of Commercial Edible Food Generators (CEFGs) of their obligation to donate excess edible food, inspect 100% of newly identified CEFGs, and reinspect at least 15% of existing CEFGs, in alignment with California's State Bill 1383 and Chapter 32 Mandatory Edible Food Recovery.

Timing: By 2026
Lead department: SF Environment
Strategy: Reduce the carbon footprint of our food system by reducing waste, promoting climate-friendly diets, and getting excess food to communities in need.
In the plan: Page 78 of the published PDF

Implementation status

Departments report status each January through the City's monitoring, evaluation, and reporting cycle. The first report on the 2026 plan covers calendar year 2026. Status, milestones, and notes will appear here.

In the emissions model

Appendix D models this action as part of Food Waste Prevention and Edible Food Recovery Policy, one of the landfilled organics strategies expected to cut that sector's emissions 79% below 1990 by 2030 and 70% by 2040.

Per-action tonnage is not published; the model reports impacts by sector. See the emissions trajectory.

Racial and Social Equity ReviewWhat the equity review said about this strategy

Equity impacts

Local/small businesses need support with sustainable sourcing and food recovery. This could be via grant funding and community networking, and would alleviate the cost burden on small businesses of purchasing more climatefriendly foods. Many EJ communities already minimize food waste and have a lower carbon footprint, but are not recognized for this and struggle to expand on these practices. EJ communities can also lack access to knowledge and healthy foods to support healthy diets.

Recommendations

Establish a program that connects workers from vulnerable populations and EJ communities with skilled jobs in the food sector to provide long-term, high-quality jobs.
Small businesses would similarly benefit from uplifting this workforce and filling vacancies.
Increase food sector worker protections for those in the City, covering everything from restaurants to commercial kitchens to animal rendering operations, etc.
Hold animal rendering plants in the City (and in EJ neighborhoods like the Bayview) accountable for their pollution and require them to limit or move operations as part of tracking carbon emissions and aligning with CA best practices.
Increase community-led, volunteer-run food operations in the City to promote good practices, expand education, and promote food justice.
Citywide food procurement and recovery programs should extend not only among City departments and kitchens, but to private sector and faith-based food operations as well.
Increase education on best practices and ensure cultural relevance.
Increase the availability and affordability of plant-based, organic, and culturally appropriate foods to benefit public health and well-being across all racial groups.
Implement measures like ensuring non-dairy options are easily accessible and affordable.
Support the expansion of community gardens and food forests in collective green spaces in EJ communities.

Suggested edit to the draft

Suggest adding the following as action:"Partner with EJ communities to promote best practices, exemplify existing good habits in community, and expand education to others within EJ communities and all others."

Partly reflected in the final plan. CE-2-5 commissions a food-system landscape analysis with community partners on equitable access; HE-5 adds community gardens in EJ priority areas.

Source: 2026 Climate Action Plan, Appendix C. Adoption status is our reading of the final text, pending SFE confirmation.