Food Donation Session:

Presenters:

Emily Grant, Director of Florida Operations, FoodRecovery.org

Karena Bozarth, Sustainability Manager, Food and Nutrition Services, Orange County Public Schools

●  Navigating donation regulations and liability

●  Building partnerships with food banks and community organizations

Food donation is a powerful tool in the fight against food waste and food insecurity, but many businesses face challenges in navigating regulations, liability concerns, and building strong partnerships with local organizations. This session will provide practical guidance on donating surplus food safely and effectively.

Experts will discuss the legal protections available to donors, including the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act and how to safely donate products with FoodRecovery.org. Attendees will also learn how to establish and strengthen partnerships with food banks, community organizations, and redistribution networks to maximize impact.

The session will feature FoodRecovery.org and its successful partnership with Orange County Public Schools, highlighting how technology-driven solutions and strategic collaboration can streamline food donation efforts. Whether you’re a restaurant, retailer, or food producer, this session will equip you with the knowledge and resources to make food donation a seamless and sustainable part of your operations.

Emily Grant, Director of Florida Operations, FoodRecovery.org

I am deeply passionate about food recovery, social justice, gardening and art. I graduated

from the University of Pittsburgh in Urban Studies and Spanish, and I am currently

learning Portuguese so I can speak with my husband’s family in Brazil. I have over 7 years

of experience program planning and over 5 years of professional work in the Florida food

system. When I am not coordinating the donation of excess food, you can find me taking

care of my 40+ plants, playing with my dog Ziggy, or being a cookie monster.

Karena Bozarth, Sustainability Manager, Food and Nutrition Services, Orange County Public Schools

Karena Bozarth began her career at Orange County Public Schools - Food and Nutrition Services, in 2010.  During this time, Karena has had the opportunity to work in several departments, which include Food Service Operations, Procurement and currently in Sustainability.   Karena has connected Food and Nutrition Services to school garden activities by creating waste diversion strategies for students and school teams, educating students on the importance of good nutrition in our school meal program, and building sustainable partnerships for our waste and recovery programs.  

Karena’s free time is spent with her husband and family, which include four fur-babies, maintaining a home garden, and relaxing on the beach.