Become a
Food Rescue Partner
Welcome to our Food Rescue Program! We greatly appreciate your interest in becoming a Food Rescue Partner. Our program relies on donations from partners like you to help reduce food waste and provide fresh, delicious food to families facing food insecurity. Together, we can make a positive impact on our and the environment.
Join us in feeding our hungry communities. Always receive tax receipts for donations, zero liability (Good Samaritan Act), and workable solutions toward meeting AB1826 requirements. Food recovery is key to eliminating hunger; we pick up from your locations or you can drop donations off at our warehouse.
How to Donate
All donors must follow food safety rules to help ensure their food is safe. Food Rescue organizations have limitations on the types and sources of food they can accept. Use this handy guide to safely donate food so you can save money, reduce waste, help your community, and receive tax savings.
Review and Identify Foods You Can Donate:
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As a licensed food establishment, you can donate food that has not been served, including raw, processed, or prepared food, ice, beverage, or ingredients used or intended for use, in whole or in part.
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The condition for donation is that the item is wholesome and suitable for human consumption.
Prepare and Package Foods Safely:
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Donated foods must meet the required temperature standards and adhere to all food and health code requirements.
Labeling Requirements:
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Commercial Food Labels:
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Must include the name of the item or food, manufacturer information, a list of ingredients, and a use-by date (if applicable).
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Must contain the statement: “Donated Food - Not for Resale.”
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Prepared Food Labels:
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Must include the name of the food, the food donor, the address where the food was prepared, and the preparation date.
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If appropriate, label with the common name of the food, any allergens listed on the package, and the name of the original processor.
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Track Donated Items:
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Use donation tracking software or maintain records on paper (e.g., PLCS - use ChowMatch) for tracking your donations.
As our mission to eliminate food waste and receiving help from the community. We are able to provide this Food Rescue Program to reach businesses who don't have time or access to donate items directly to our location. Using our resources we are able to pick up donated food items, bring it back to our warehouse and give it a second home to feed individuals / families.
We have three programs to help recover food:
What is the Food Rescue Program?
Host a Food Drive
Host a Food Drive! Your efforts will help people experiencing hunger in San Diego.
Drop Off
Do you have food items or non-food items that are ready to be donated? You have the option to stop by our location to drop it off! No appointment needed. Come by during our business hours.
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Pick Up
Do you have food items that are ready to be donated? We offer a program to pick up donated goods from your home or business. We have two plans to choose between One-Time and Monthly.
Be Part of the Food Waste Solution!
According to REFED, "In the U.S., a staggering 35% of all food goes unsold or uneaten – almost 90 billion meals’ worth of food annually. It's valued at $418 billion, roughly 2% of U.S. GDP, and it has the same climate footprint as the entire U.S. aviation industry (passenger, commercial, and military). "
We throw away an estimated 500,000 tons of food waste each year in San Diego County. All that food generates over 270,000 metric tons of greenhouse gases. The Environmental Protection Agency developed a Food Waste Recovery Hierarchy (modified version below) which lists feeding hungry people as one of the top strategies to prevent and reduce wasted food. By donating edible food from your business, you can be part of the food waste solution and help reduce hunger in your community!
Why Donate?
Help our neighbors! 1 in 3 people in San Diego County experiences food insecurity
Reduce waste and the disposal of edible food
Reduce greenhouse gas and water quality impacts
The Good Samaritan Food Donation Act
The Good Samaritan Food Donation Act,” offers responsible food donors protection from criminal and civil liability if the donated food is “apparently wholesome.” This means the donor knows the food has been handled with correct food safety standards. The act does not release donors or hunger relief agencies from the duty of acting responsibly. Operate with judgment and diligence to make sure donated food is safe and wholesome.