Food Shift recovers perishable and nonperishable food items from wholesalers, retail and grocery stores, farms, restaurants and food services. We redistribute the surplus food to partner agencies that nourish communities that are food insecure. We are committed to maintaining the highest level of food safety and follow the guidelines set forth by the California Department of Public Health.
As such, we only accept perishable and prepared food items that have been handled and stored at safe temperatures and chilled prior to donation. For food safety reasons we cannot accept cooked food/meals (food that has been heated/reheated), food that has previously been served to the public (hot bar items, food from a serving/buffet line, etc.) and prepared food that is not in individually sealed packaging. If you have prepared food to donate, we encourage you to reach out to our partner, CityTeam. We can only take donated prepared foods from licensed or regulated food service providers (restaurants, grocers, bakeries, etc). All donations are tax deductible.
Food Shift will accept food past its expiration date. Except for infant formula, dates are not required by Federal law and are not an indicator of when food is spoiled or inedible. Manufacturers provide dating to help consumers and retailers decide when food is of best quality. To learn more about food labeling and how we can all reduce food waste, click here.
In 1996 President Clinton passed The Federal Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act to encourage companies and organizations to donate healthy food that would otherwise go to waste. This law:
Click here for more information on The Federal Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act and how it encourages and protects food donation or to learn how you and your business can donate excess food.
Storage: Chilled temperature is 40°F or less; frozen is 0°F or less
Packaging: Securely sealed; items packaged separately
Reasons for refusal:
Storage: Cool, dry
Packaging: Packed in bags, boxes or bins
Reasons for refusal:
Storage: Temperature is cool, dry (varies based on product)
Packaging: Packed in bags, boxes or bins
Reasons for refusal:
Includes dairy, meat, vegetables and bread
Storage: Temperature is 0°F or less
Packaging: Foods must be in their intact, original packaging
Reasons for refusal:
Storage: Temperature is cool, dry
Packaging: Foods must be in their intact, original packaging
Reasons for refusal:
Food Shift is able to accept food and food products with past expiration dates, “best by,” and “use by” dates as long as all other requirements above are met.