Los Angeles (CNN) — While Hollywood actors may be the face of the film and television industry, teams of professionals work behind the scenes, bringing each cinematic story to life through disciplines like lighting, costumes and set design.

For 15 years, Hillary Cohen was one of them, working as an assistant director on TV shows like “Mad Men,” “The Office,” and “NCIS: Los Angeles.” One of the perks she enjoyed were the crew meals provided on set – gourmet, chef-prepared food like steak and seafood.

But she’d long been troubled by what happened to the leftovers.

“They would just throw it out,” said Cohen, 40. “I was always told, ‘We can’t donate the food. … It’s too hard. If someone gets sick, it’s a liability.’”

While the federal Good Samaritan Act has protected most food donors sinc

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