Abstract
California is the fifth largest economy in the world and more than 11% of its citizens struggle with hunger. Simultaneously, millions of pounds of edible food are wasted every year. There are over 74,000 restaurants in California collectively serving millions of meals per day. These restaurants are creating tons of wasted edible food annually. The state of California has recently passed three laws that directly impact food waste and the restaurant industry. The purpose of this study is to investigate the awareness of these laws on restaurants within a small geographic area, how these laws are impacting these businesses, and how they will be implemented. The food service establishments contained by the Folsom Historic District will be used. This area fits the model of numerous food service establishments contained within small geographic areas. This study model is necessary to investigate the possibility of collaboration between neighboring businesses. A survey was administered to examine the awareness, impact, and implementation of these waste laws on the food service establishments within the Folsom Historic District. Collaboration between food service establishments was also assessed. A collaborative effort between restaurants, waste haulers, and establishments that provide food for the hungry citizens of the state is a model worthy of further study.