By Matt Sepic, KWMU
St. Louis – Missouri Governor Matt Blunt signed legislation Tuesday that he said will make it easier for grocery and convenience stores to donate to food banks.
The new law protects those businesses from criminal charges or civil suits if the food they give turns out to be bad.
Blunt said protecting more stores from legal action will encourage more food donations.
"As you know, I believe there's too much litigation in society today, and we want to protect people who are acting in good faith from unnecessary litigation," Blunt said.
The law does not protect people who intentionally donate bad food.
Tuesday was National Hunger Awareness Day, and Blunt signed the legislation at the St. Louis Area Food Bank.