UPDATE 9/18: Governor Brown signs AB-2178 into law.

The California Assembly and Senate have nearly unanimously passed AB-2178, which would impose new restrictions on individuals and community groups like Food Not Bombs that share free meals. If the bill becomes law, these groups would have to pay to register with local authorities in order to continue to provide mutual aid by sharing free food that would otherwise be discarded. In general, Food Not Bombs and similar groups are entirely volunteer with little to no budgets.

Volunteer groups feeding the poor and homeless pose little food safety risk. There has never been a report of food poisoning or other illness due to their activity. These grassroots groups have operated for decades and follow strong private food safety practices. They fill a critical gap that the state itself struggles to address.

Governor Brown Signs AB-2178 Into Law | Call Governor Jerry Brown To Veto AB-2178, Which Restricts Our Right To Share Free Food | Keith McHenry & Barbara Brust on AB2178's Restrictions on Sharing Free Meals with the Poor

Related Feature: 35th Anniversary of Food Not Bombs