(1) In order to obtain data as necessary to support the goals of the Washington center for sustainable food management created in RCW 70A.207.020 and to achieve the goals of RCW 70A.205.715(1), the department may establish a voluntary reporting protocol for the receipt of reports by businesses that donate food under RCW 69.80.031 and recipients of the donated food, and may encourage the use of this voluntary reporting protocol by the businesses and recipients. The department may also request that a donating business or recipient of donated food provide information to the department regarding the volumes, types, and timing of food managed by the donating facility or business, and food waste and wasted food generated by the donating facility or business. To the extent practicable, the department must seek to obtain information under this section in a manner compatible with any information reported to the department of agriculture under RCW 43.23.290, and in a manner that minimizes the reporting and information-provision burdens of donating businesses and recipients.

(2) For the purposes of this subsection, "food waste" and "wasted food" have the same meaning as defined in RCW 70A.205.715.

Findings—Intent—Scope of authority of chapter 180, Laws of 2022—2022 c 180: See notes following RCW 70A.205.007.