France passes law forcing big supermarkets to donate food to charity instead of destroying it

J'aime beaucoup!

A few months back, France voted to force big supermarkets to donate any foods to charities that they would otherwise throw out and destroy.

All large-sized supermarkets will have to sign contracts with a charity group to facilitate food donations.

"It's scandalous to see bleach being poured into supermarket dustbins along with edible foods," Socialist member of parliament Guillaume Garot, who sponsored the bill, said.

Unfortunately, at that time there was some question as to the constitutionality of the procedure, and the bill was subsequently canceled in August.

However, prior to the law being passed two weeks ago (13 August), the articles relating to food waste were taken out by the Constitutional Council, who ruled that as they were late additions to the law, having been introduced in the second reading rather than the first, there had not been adequate time to consider them.

It’s been “considered” and yesterday it passed again!

It was reintroduced on Wednesday and passed by members of the Assemblée Nationale with support from across the political spectrum. The legislation was described in the house as a “crucial measure for the planet”, at a time when world leaders are thrashing out an agreement at the COP21 climate change summit.

The law will come into effect after it has been rubber-stamped by the Sénat, the upper house of the French parliament, on 13 January.

Good news for France and good news for those in need.