NY A08508

Amends Education Law to change the commissioner's authority from "may" to "shall" develop guidelines, making it mandatory rather than optional to establish food donation programs at schools and colleges

Requires school districts and institutions of higher education to donate excess, unused, edible food from meals to local voluntary food assistance programs such as food pantries, soup kitchens, and other nonprofit organizations serving the poor

All donated food must comply with federal, state, and local public health laws, rules, and regulations governing food safety and food donation

Guidelines must include procedures for informing educational institutions about donation provisions, notification of their ability to donate, and technical assistance on safe and sanitary food donation practices

Takes effect 90 days after becoming law, with immediate authorization for any necessary rule or regulation changes to implement the program