The LAX Food Donation Policy has been approved to donate unused food to local non-profits.
It was approved by the Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners (BOAC), requiring all food-serving businesses at Los Angeles International Airport to join a food donation program.
Concessionaires that distribute or sell grab-and-go food such as sandwiches must join a program by December 31, 2020. Airlines, sit-down restaurants and caterers must join the program by December 31, 2021 and new concessionaires must demonstrate their commitment to donating food before opening.
Gabriel Eshaghian, commissioner of BOAC, said, “This policy requires our terminal restaurants, concessions, lounges and businesses that sell or offer food to transform its unused, edible food from being wasted into something worthwhile that benefits everyone.”
Some concessionaires began donating in 2012 unsold food to the LAX Harvest Food Donation Program, a partnership between the airport, Food Donation Connection, HMSHost and Delaware North.
In 2019, they donated over 36 tons of food to local charities.