To help feed one in five Californians without enough to eat and cut climate emissions from the over 1.8 billion still fresh, surplus meals landfilled in the state every year, California is funding food recovery projects with $2.8 million in new grants.

This new program is part of the state’s latest $270 million investment in the climate fight and California’s transition to a renewable economy.

“State food recovery investments have already provided 142 million meals to Californians in need since 2018,” California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) Director Rachel Machi Wagoner said. “Local food recovery projects provide an incredible opportunity to feed hungry members of our communities instead of wasting unsold food by dumping it in landfills to emit climate super pollutants.”

Local governments, nonprofits, state agencies, schools/universities and tribal governments have until Dec. 16, 2021, to submit their applications for up to $250,000 in Edible Food Recovery Grant Program funding for projects that:

• Rescue and redistribute surplus food instead of sending it to landfills, or

• Prevent food waste that would otherwise be destined for landfills.

Food, yard and other organic waste rotting in landfills emits 20 percent of California’s methane, making it a top source of climate super pollutants in the state. Methane is 84 times more effective at trapping heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide.

California’s latest $2.8 million investment in local surplus food recovery projects build on the success of previous CalRecycle grants that, since 2018, resulted in:

• $24 million to 80 local government, nonprofit, school and university projects.

• 142 million surplus, still fresh meals rescued for Californians in need.

• Reduced climate emissions equal to taking 34,862 cars off the road for a year.

• 394 local jobs to collect, store, transport and redistribute surplus food.

CalRecycle’s new Edible Food Recovery Grant Program is part of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s California Comeback Plan, which features a $15 billion climate package — the largest such investment in state history.

It includes $270 million to support a circular economy that advances renewable product manufacturing and reduces climate super pollutants, like landfill methane emissions.

Key circular economy investments over the next two years include:

• $5 million to expand edible food recovery projects to reduce the estimated 1.8 billion edible meals landfilled in California each year.

• $5 million to expand Community Composting programs that increase air-cleansing, green spaces and recycle food waste in disadvantaged communities.

• $20 million to upgrade wastewater treatment plants that turn food waste into clean energy.

• $75 million to spur innovation, raise demand for recyclables and attract green industry to California with CalRecycle’s new Office of Innovation in Recycling and Remanufacturing.

• $165 million to support food and yard waste recycling infrastructure and local implementation costs for SB 1383.

Biggest change to trash in 30 years takes effect Jan. 1, 2022

SB 1383 (Lara, Chapter 395, Statutes of 2016) builds upon California’s commitment to reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions statewide, improve human health, and create green jobs that support resilient local economies.

Starting Jan. 1, 2022:

• California cities and counties must provide organics recycling collection to all residents and businesses.

• Businesses and large food generators must donate unsold food to distribute to Californians in need.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. — The Park Study Club will hold its annual Christmas tea on Saturday, Dec. 4.

It will be held from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at 13587 Santa Clara Ave., Clearlake.

A delightful afternoon awaits participants.

They will have the chance to visit with Santa and have their picture taken with him.

There also will be shopping at the lovely little Christmas Store. Get in the spirit while listening to Christmas music.

Enjoy delicious treats traditionally served at an afternoon tea.

Tickets are $45 per adult and $20 for children 12 years of age and younger.

For more information call 707-994-8143.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. — Clear Lake Masonic Lodge No. 183 invites the community to join its members for dinner on Saturday, Nov. 13.

The meal will be served from 5 to 8 p.m. at the lodge, 7100 S. Center Drive in Clearlake.

The menu includes chicken cordon bleu with Dijon cream sauce, roasted carrots and parsnips, Parmesan rice pilaf and scalloped potatoes.

The price is $18 for adults and $9 for children ages 9 to 14. Children under age 8 may eat for free.

The Bureau of Land Management Central California Resource Advisory Council, or RAC, will meet virtually on Wednesday, Nov. 17, from 1 to 5 p.m. via Zoom, due to COVID-19 precautions.

The meeting is open to the public.

To participate in the meeting, please register in advance here.

After registering, participants will receive a confirmation email with information, including a link and phone numbers.

The RAC meeting will include presentations on the development of the San Joaquin Desert Hills Special Recreation Management Area Activity Plan and a discussion to determine how the RAC will participate in the process.

The RAC will also be briefed on recreational target shooting impacts to BLM-managed public lands in central California and receive reports from the district and field offices.

The public will be given an opportunity to address the RAC during the meeting at 4:15 p.m. Time for individual public comments may be limited due to the number of persons wishing to speak. Written statements to address the council may also be sent electronically to Serena Baker, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., prior to the meeting.

The council advises the secretary of the Interior, through the BLM, on a variety of planning and management issues associated with BLM public lands in central California. The BLM maintains 28 chartered advisory committees throughout the West.

Each citizen-based council consists of members from diverse interests in local communities, who assist in the development of committee recommendations by sharing their unique perspectives.

To learn more about the Central California RAC and see the final agenda, visit https://go.usa.gov/xHrUx. Please contact the BLM for reasonable accommodations to participate.

For specific questions, please contact BLM Central California District Public Affairs Officer Serena Baker at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 916-941-3146.

On Thursday, Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA03) introduced the “End Palm Oil Deforestation Act.”

“My legislation supports President Biden’s commitment to end global deforestation by ensuring that all palm oil imported into the United States is grown in a lawful, sustainable, ethical, and responsible manner. Greenhouse gas emissions from global deforestation are driven in no small part by the growing market for palm oil as a food ingredient and an advanced biofuel. The United States must stand against human rights abuses and destructive cultivation practices that set us back in our efforts to combat climate change. That’s exactly what my ‘End Palm Oil Deforestation Act’ does,” said Congressman Garamendi.

Earlier last week, President Biden, along with more than 100 other world leaders, signed a pledge at the United Nations climate change conference — known as COP26 — to eliminate deforestation worldwide.

“Preserving forests and other ecosystems can and should play an important role in meeting our ambitious climate goals,” said President Biden, in his remarks at the COP26 summit.

The cultivation of palm oil, a common food ingredient, is recognized as a leading cause of tropical deforestation globally. In addition to causing increased greenhouse gas emissions, irresponsible palm oil cultivation on deforested lands is often accompanied by forced labor, child labor, wildlife trafficking, and the displacement of indigenous communities.

Congressman Garamendi’s bill would help to meet President Biden’s commitments in the COP26 pledge by requiring under federal law, for the first time, that importers demonstrate palm oil was cultivated and harvested sustainably, ethically, and lawfully in its country of origin.

The bill would also require that all palm oil products, whether as a food ingredient, cosmetics, or biofuel, be labeled with their country of origin, allowing American consumers to make informed decisions.

Palm oil is also increasingly used as a feedstock for advanced biofuels, including in so-called “sustainable aviation fuel.”

Garamendi’s bill would end a longstanding loophole that allows imported palm oil to qualify for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Renewable Fuel Standard, which Congress intended to promote domestic biofuel production.

The Bureau of Land Management is lifting most seasonal fire restrictions, effective immediately, to allow campfires and target shooting on public lands managed by the Bishop, Central Coast, Mother Lode and Ukiah field offices in central California.

The easing of seasonal fire restrictions applies to BLM-managed public lands located primarily in Amador, Calaveras, Colusa, El Dorado, western Fresno, Glenn, Inyo, Lake, Marin, Mariposa, Mendocino, Mono, Monterey, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, San Benito, Santa Cruz, San Joaquin, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tuolumne, Yolo and Yuba counties.

BLM seasonal fire restrictions for the Eastern Sierra Region are being eased in close coordination with the Cal Fire San Bernardino/Inyo/Mono Unit, the Inyo National Forest, and the Mono County Sheriff’s Office.

Year-round statewide fire restrictions, issued on April 28, 2020, remain in effect.

“We are pleased that cooler weather and moderate wildfire danger conditions allow for easing of fire restrictions, however it is important to remember it takes all of us to prevent wildland fire,” said Central California District Manager Chris Heppe. “Please use caution when lighting a campfire on public lands and ensure the flame is dead out before breaking camp.”

As a reminder, target shooters may not use incendiary, exploding, tracer, steel core, steel jacketed or armor piercing ammunition.

No steel targets allowed — hot bullet fragments, exploding targets and metal from recreational shooting can spark a wildland fire. Recreationists are encouraged to stay in developed campgrounds. A complete list is available online.

Outdoor enthusiasts should avoid BLM-managed public lands that have been burned in this year’s wildland fires. Please remember, the Mother Lode Field Office has closed the Rocky Bar Road, west of Grizzly Flats in El Dorado County, due to impacts from the Caldor Fire.

The public is advised, while the ground may look flat, burned tree roots can give way causing holes. Burned soils are sensitive to erosion and the landscape will take time to heal.

The BLM cares for more than one of every 10 acres of land in the United States. These public lands are every American’s birthright, and we are dedicated to protecting and sustaining that heritage for generations to come. The public plays a valuable role in wildland fire prevention, please Recreate Responsibly.

The public can obtain a valid California campfire permit free at all BLM, U.S. Forest Service and Cal Fire offices. To learn how you can do your part to prevent wildland fires, visit www.readyforwildfire.org.

An interactive map and listing of fire restrictions throughout BLM California is available at https://go.usa.gov/xmUEG.

For specific questions, please contact your nearest BLM Field Office.