Food Waste Research Program

(a) Definitions In this section: (1) Liaison The term Liaison means the Food Loss and Waste Reduction Liaison of the Department of Agriculture. (2) Program The term Program means the Food Waste Research Program established under subsection (b). (3) Regional partner institution The term regional partner institution means an institution selected under subsection (d). (b) Establishment The Liaison, acting in partnership with the regional partner institutions, shall establish and carry out a program, to be known as the Food Waste Research Program. (c) Program requirements (1) Duties In carrying out the Program, the Liaison, in partnership with the regional partner institutions, shall— (A) plan, conduct, and arrange for public research, data, education, and recommendations within the areas of study described in paragraph (2), as those areas relate to food waste reduction and food recovery issues nationwide, regionally, and locally; (B) carry out activities under the Program in a variety of regions of the United States, to be identified and categorized by the Liaison based on the specific food recovery and food waste reduction issues of those regions; (C) identify areas to increase efficiency in the allocation of resources and the coordination, cooperation, and consolidation of efforts with respect to local, statewide, Tribal, regional, and Federal food recovery and food waste reduction efforts; (D) create a Program website, in accordance with paragraph (4), to disseminate information to the public; and (E) collaborate with other institutions of higher education and nonprofit organizations in the regions selected by the Liaison that have demonstrated capability for research, information dissemination, and professional training in order to develop regional networks that are knowledgeable in food waste reduction issues. (2) Areas of study The areas of study referred to in paragraph (1)(A) are the following: (A) Reducing the volume of surplus food produced. (B) Using excess food to feed individuals in need, including through the use of donations of surplus food. (C) Diverting food unusable for purposes described in subparagraph (B) to feed animals. (D) Using food waste to create renewable energy sources. (E) Composting food waste to create nutrient-rich soil. (F) Diminishing the deposits of food waste in landfills and reducing the incineration of food waste. (3) Use of funds (A) In general The Liaison may make funds available under the Program to improve the capacities and facilities of the regional partner institutions to a level that meets the requirements of the role of a regional partner institution. (B) Plan A regional partner institution may not receive any funding for any facility upgrade under subparagraph (A), unless— (i) the regional partner institution submits to the Liaison a plan detailing the type of facility construction or improvements to take place (including any land acquisition, engineering, design, and staffing and equipment needs, in addition to other information as required by the Liaison); and (ii) the Liaison approves the plan. (C) Non-Federal share (i) Facility improvement A regional partner institution shall be required to provide at least a 20-percent non-Federal cost-share for any facility improvement or construction project carried out by the regional partner institution under the Program. (ii) Operating expenses A regional partner institution shall be required to provide at least a 30-percent non-Federal cost-share for all Program operating expenses of the regional partner institution. (D) Wage rate requirements A construction activity carried out pursuant to this subsection shall meet Federal prevailing wage requirements as determined by the Secretary of Labor in accordance with subchapter IV of chapter 31 of part A of subtitle II of title 40, United States Code (commonly referred to as the Davis-Bacon Act). (4) Website The Liaison shall establish a Program website, which shall contain at least the following information with respect to the Program: (A) Key findings and best practices. (B) A list of collaborations and partnerships. (C) Annual reports and other pertinent information relating to Program duties. (D) The location and contact information for the regional partner institutions. (E) Federal, State, local, and regionally specific public research, data, education, and policy recommendations, to be updated in a timely manner with new information. (F) Tools for tracking reduction efforts and measuring food waste production. (d) Selection of regional partner institutions (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Liaison shall select 5 regional partner institutions to assist the Liaison in carrying out the Program. (2) Criteria The Liaison shall select under paragraph (1) institutions of higher education that— (A) have a focus or expertise in at least 1 area of study described in subsection (c)(2); (B) have the ability to plan, conduct, and arrange for public research, data, education, and recommendations related to food waste reduction and the areas of study described in subsection (c)(2); (C) can assist the Liaison in fulfilling the duties described in subsection (c)(1); (D) can contribute the required non-Federal funding to maintain a regional partner institution center; and (E) satisfy any other criteria determined by the Liaison. (3) Eligible subawardees A State, Tribal, or local government, local educational agency, agricultural or commodity organization, farmer, or other organization focused on food waste prevention may serve as an eligible subawardee of a regional partner institution if the entity meets the requirements described in subparagraphs (A) through (C) of paragraph (2). (4) Employment status A member of a regional partner institution shall not be considered to be a Federal employee for any purpose. (e) Collaboration The Liaison, in conjunction with the 5 regional partner institutions, shall collaborate regarding, and share, best practices relating to regional, State, Tribal, and locally specific food waste and food waste reduction issues with— (1) State and county governments; (2) Tribal governments; (3) units of local government; (4) local educational entities; (5) institutions of higher education; (6) agricultural and commodity organizations; (7) farmers; and (8) organizations focused on food waste prevention. (f) Reporting requirements (1) Regional partner institutions (A) In general Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, each regional partnership institution shall submit to the Liaison a report describing the activities, partnerships, collaborations, Federal policy recommendations, previous and continuing budgets, findings, and any other applicable information carried out by the regional partnership institution during the preceding year under the Program. (B) Review The Liaison shall review the annual reports submitted by regional partner institutions under subparagraph (A) to ensure that— (i) funds are being used efficiently according to the duties of the Program; and (ii) the Program is producing usable public research, data, education, and recommendations relating to food waste and food waste reduction issues. (2) Liaison Not later than 15 months after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Liaison shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate and the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives, and publish on the Program website, an annual report containing a compilation of the activities, partnerships, collaborations, Federal policy recommendations, previous and continuing budgets, findings, and any other applicable information relating to the Program with respect to the period covered by the report.