S62 — An Act establishing community fridges to address food insecurity

Summary

An Act establishing community fridges to address food insecurity

Bill Text

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The bill establishes the definition and management structure for community fridges and provides liability protections for food establishments distributing food at no or low charge.

• Section 328 of chapter 94

  “Community fridge,” is defined as a working refrigerator in a publicly accessible location in which any person or organization can donate food into or remove food from for the purposes of alleviating food insecurity. Each community fridge shall have a designated manager or managing organization which may include a volunteer, a nonprofit, or a government official designee. This manager is responsible for managing the cleanliness and sanitary condition of the fridge according to the department of public health. The department of public health shall provide advisory guidelines and interpretations for the safe and sanitary storage of such food. The placement of community fridges will be prioritized in areas of high food insecurity, including disproportionately impacted areas and food deserts. If data on food insecurity is unavailable, then placement will be prioritized in low-income areas. Further, community fridges shall be equitably distributed throughout each geographic region of the Commonwealth.

  This change defines what a community fridge is and establishes guidelines for its management and placement.

• Section 328 of chapter 94

  No food establishment, as defined in 105 CMR 590 et seq., which distributes or serves food without charge or at a charge sufficient only to cover the cost of handling such food, including open-dated food whose date has passed, shall be liable for civil damages for any injury arising out of the condition of such food; provided, however, that at the time of distribution or serving such food is not misbranded or adulterated or has not been manufactured, processed, prepared, handled or stored in violation of applicable regulations of the department of public health, and provided, further, that such injury is not the result of gross negligence, recklessness or intentional misconduct of the food establishment or any person employed by or under the control of the food establishment.

  This change provides liability protection for food establishments distributing food for free or at low cost, under specific conditions.

Sponsors

• Adam Gómez · Primary

Subjects