Food Donations
Learn about Food Shift's food donation processes and guidelines.
Donating with Food Shift
Financial donations are the most versatile contributions to Food Shift and other food assistance organizations, as they allow flexibility to procure more of any food, as needed, more economically. All donations are tax deductible.
Food Shift accepts food from businesses only, either as a regular food donor, seasonally, or as surplus is available. We will then distribute the donated food to nourish our neighbors through our partners.
For individuals and households with surplus food to share, please contact other food assistance organizations such as:
- Your local food bank (see food drop-off locations for Alameda County)
- City Team (various locations): will take prepared food
Food Donation Guidelines
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 our partners who 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, and from licensed or regulated food service providers. 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.)
- Prepared food that is not in individually sealed packaging
Food Shift will accept food past its expiration or coded date (use-, sell-, best-buy dates). Except for infant formula, which is federally regulated, other coded dates 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 reduce wasting food, click here.
The Good Samaritan Act
The Federal Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act was passed in 1996 to encourage companies and organizations to donate healthy food that would otherwise go to waste.
This law:
- Protects businesses from liability when they donate to a non-profit organization
- Protects businesses from civil and criminal liability should the product donated in good faith later cause harm to the recipient
- Standardizes donor liability exposure: no need to investigate liability laws in each state
- Sets a floor of “gross negligence” or intentional misconduct for persons who donate grocery products. According to this law, gross negligence is defined as “voluntary and conscious conduct by a person with knowledge (at the time of conduct) that the conduct is likely to be harmful to the health or well-being of another person.”
Click here for more information on The Federal Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act and how it encourages and protects food donors or to learn how you and your business can donate excess food.
Donations we can accept
PACKAGED PERISHABLE FOODS
Storage: Chilled temperature is 40°F or less; frozen is 0°F or less
Packaging: Securely sealed; items packaged separately
Reasons for refusal:
- Packaging has been damaged, punctured, or the seal has been broken
- Food has not been held at the proper temperature
DRY GOODS/SHELF STABLE ITEMS
Storage: Temperature is cool, dry
Packaging: Foods must be in their intact, original packaging
Reasons for refusal:
- Packaging has been damaged or the seal has been broken
- Product shows signs of leakage or bulging
BAKED GOODS
Storage: Cool, dry
Packaging: Packed in bags, boxes or bins
Reasons for refusal:
- Stale/hard bread
- Mold
FRESH PRODUCE
Storage: Temperature is cool, dry (varies based on product)
Packaging: Packed in bags, boxes or bins
Reasons for refusal:
- Product shows significant decay or odor
- Product shows signs of mishandling
FROZEN FOODS
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:
- Packaging has been damaged so as to expose the food
- Product shows signs of previous thaw, such as water stains and/or ice crystals
Food Shift can accept food with expired date labels ("best-by, use by" dates), as long as all other requirements, as listed previously, are met.
Donations 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, catered party food, etc.)
- Alcohol or foods prepared with alcohol
- Foods not prepared in a commercial, regulated, or licensed kitchen
- Foods that are open, have a broken seal, or show signs of tampering
- Foods that have been held at improper temperatures
Partner With Us
Does your company have eligible food that would otherwise be wasted?
Contact us to discuss a donation or long-term partnership.
