A new proposed bill to establish tax incentives for farmers, wholesalers and other businesses to compensate for the costs of donating surplus food to charities. The tax offset will allow these businesses to claim the cost of transport, food storage and packaging to provide incentives to donate the food rather than bin it. At present, the tax system treats food that is written off or dumped in the same way as food that is donated. Fresh fruit and vegetables have the highest waste rates, and this food is sought after to provide food relief to households in need due to health factors. The proposed tiered scheme would see a company with a turnover of $20 million or less get a 45 per cent offset, while those with turnovers above $50 million would receive 35 per cent. The offset for businesses with turnovers between $20 million and $50 million would be 40 per cent. 

7.6 million tonnes of produce are wasted each year and Australians annual food waste is estimated to cost the economy $36 billion per year. With cost-of-living pressures continuing to affect households a survey found 3.7 million households experienced food insecurity in the 12 months to July 2023. 

https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/the-transformative-plan-to-feed-millions-of-aussies-in-need-and-cut-food-waste/jrlpmozhu