Divert Inc. and General Produce have formed a partnership that will convert unsold and non-donatable food into renewable energy and soil amendment for communities in Northern California.
General Produce will send unused food from its Sacramento distribution center to Divert’s Integrated Diversion & Energy Facility in Turlock, California. There, the material will move through depackaging and anaerobic digestion, which destroys branded packaging and converts organics into carbon-negative energy and nutrient-rich amendment used to support local soils. The energy produced helps power homes in the region.
The program gives General Produce support in meeting state organic waste rules and optimizes the handling of material that cannot be sold or donated. Divert will track data to assist the company with waste mandate compliance, sustainability reporting and potential ways to reduce waste. Divert services more than 1,900 customer locations throughout California.
“Together with Divert, we’re keeping organic waste out of landfills, transforming what can’t be donated into renewable energy and continuing to drive meaningful change across our industry,” said Brian Hamilton, General Produce’s director of operations. “As a leading produce distributor, we know firsthand how important it is to make the most of every food item that comes through our warehouse, and this partnership allows us to do just that.”
The partnership supports compliance with California Senate Bill 1383, which requires businesses across the state to divert organic waste from landfills. California grows nearly half of the country’s vegetables and more than three-quarters of its fruits and nuts. State officials view recovery of nutrients from unsold items as important to protecting the agricultural supply chain.
“Our partnership with General Produce builds on the work we are doing across California to eliminate wasted food in the state and reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the food value chain,” said Andrew Johnston, Divert VP and general manager, industrials. “This collaboration not only exemplifies General Produce’s commitment to sustainability but also their stewardship in ensuring no food goes to waste.”
Divert opened its Turlock facility in 2024 to meet customer demand and expand in-state infrastructure. The site supports the company’s edible food recovery programs. Since 2018, Divert has helped facilitate 17.8 million pounds of food donations, equal to 14.8 million meals.
[RELATED: Raley’s, Divert Team Up to Cut Food Waste, Fight Hunger]