HR1670: HR1670 RESCUER initiative; recognize importance of voluntary community based resource recovery efforts; encourage counties to explore voluntary resource recovery programs

This House resolution does not create a new law or program with legal force. Instead, it recognizes the value of voluntary, community based efforts to recover surplus edible food, referred to as the RESCUER initiative (Georgia Resource Exchange and Sharing for Community Uplift and Emergency Resilience). The resolution notes that communities across Georgia often throw away edible food while some residents face food insecurity, and that digital platforms could help connect residents, food banks, restaurants, and grocery stores to share that food locally. The resolution formally encourages counties and municipal corporations in Georgia to explore setting up their own voluntary resource recovery programs using such digital platforms. It also directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies of the resolution to counties and municipal corporations across the state, so local governments are made aware of the idea.

• Recognizes the RESCUER initiative as a voluntary, community based approach to reducing food waste and improving access to edible food.
• Encourages, but does not require, counties and municipal corporations in Georgia to explore voluntary food sharing programs using digital platforms.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to distribute copies of the resolution to counties and municipal corporations statewide.
• Creates no new legal requirements, funding, penalties, or enforcement mechanisms; it is a statement of encouragement, not binding law.

County and municipal governments in Georgia, which are encouraged to consider setting up food sharing programs; local food banks, restaurants, and grocery stores that could participate; and residents who experience food insecurity or want to reduce food waste in their communities.

Because this is a resolution rather than a law, nothing changes automatically. But it puts the General Assembly's support behind local, voluntary programs that use apps or websites to connect surplus food from stores and restaurants with residents who need it, which could encourage counties to pursue such programs.

• The resolution's whereas clauses describe the RESCUER initiative as a concept promoting voluntary, digital platform based food sharing among residents, food banks, restaurants, grocery stores, and retailers.
• The resolved clause has the House formally recognize the initiative's importance and encourage counties and municipal corporations to explore similar voluntary programs.
• A further resolved clause directs the Clerk of the House to prepare and distribute copies of the resolution to counties and municipal corporations in Georgia.

1. 2026-03-25House Committee Favorably Reported (House)
2. 2026-03-18House Withdrawn, Recommitted (House)
3. 2026-03-18House Second Readers (House)
4. 2026-03-16House First Readers (House)
5. 2026-03-12House Hopper (House)

• Segun Adeyina (D, HD-110)Primary sponsor
• Todd Jones (R, HD-025)
• Brad Thomas (R, HD-021)
• Dar'shun Kendrick (D, HD-095)
• Brian Prince (D, HD-132)
• Long Tran (D, HD-080)

• food waste
• food insecurity
• local government
• community programs