Assembly Bill 769 aims to establish a framework for food waste reduction in Wisconsin by creating a grant program administered by the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP). The bill mandates DATCP to provide grants for pilot projects focused on preventing food waste, redirecting surplus food to hunger relief organizations, and composting food waste. Notably, the bill emphasizes that grant proposals serving census tracts with a median household income below the statewide average and lacking grocery stores will be given preference.

To facilitate this initiative, the bill introduces new statutory sections, specifically 20.115 (3) (e) and 93.53, which outline the creation of food waste reduction grants and the associated rule-making authority for the department. The bill also includes an appropriation for the necessary funding to support these grants, ensuring that resources are allocated for effective implementation of food waste reduction strategies across the state.