Food Donations
Donating prepared, unserved food is legal.
Businesses and organizations that donate food in good faith are protected by law and receive a tax deduction.
Food Donation Guidelines brochure
Do you have food to donate?
The unprecedented closure of dine-in food service has some businesses looking for ways to donate food before it spoils. Two programs collecting perishable are Minnesota Central Kitchen and Second Harvest Heartland's Meal Connect.
If you have food that cannot be donated, consider using a food-to-animal or organics composting program.
Minnesota Central Kitchen
Minnesota Central Kitchen is a new partnership by Chowgirls Killer Catering, Second Harvest Heartland and Loaves and Fishes. The partnership feeds community members who are experiencing hunger. Other restaurants helping with these efforts are Restaurant Alma and The Bachelor Farmer with more to come.
- Food operators with perishable product to donate should visit www.MealConnect.org. You will be asked to create an account and post your product as a donation. Meal Connect has transportation logistics in place to collect and deliver food to a partner kitchen.
- Food service professionals who want to volunteer their time and cooking expertise should express their interest with an email to [email protected]
- Restaurants who are interested in opening their kitchen up as a partner kitchen should email [email protected]
- Businesses that want to donate packaging, cleaning/sanitizing supplies and other non-food items should email [email protected]
Meal Connect
- Review the Food Donation Guidelines brochure for information about keeping food safe, labeling and transporting the donated food.
- Identify the food items you have to donate.
- Visit MealConnect, an innovative online platform from Second Harvest Heartland. You will be asked to create an account and post your product as a donation.
Donating meals for kids
Is your restaurant offering free meals for kids during COVID-19? Submit your information to the Hunger Solutions map of meals for kids during COVID-19 school closures.
You are protected from liability
Businesses and organizations that donate food in good faith to a nonprofit for distribution to needy individuals are not subject to civil or criminal liability that arises from the condition of the food.
Food donors are protected by the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Act, which was passed into federal law in 1996.
Save money on your taxes
The federal tax code allows a deduction for donated food. Eligible businesses can deduct the lesser of either:
- (a) Twice the cost of acquiring the donated food, or
- (b) The cost of acquiring the donated food, plus one-half of the food’s expected profit margin, if it were sold at its fair market value.
Contact your tax professional to determine its application to your business.
Help your community and the environment
Donating surplus prepared food helps local hunger-relief agencies serve those in need, including many children and seniors.
In the United States, as much as 40 percent of food produced for people to eat is wasted along the food chain. 11 percent of Minnesotans don’t have a steady supply of food to their tables.
Food Safety
Learn how to keep the food you donate safe in the Food Donation Guidelines brochure.
Visit the Food Safety page for more food safety resources.
Accommodations
Should you require a reasonable accommodation in order to fully participate, or information in an alternative format, please contact 612-673-2301.
Para asistencia 612-673-2700 - Rau kev pab 612-673-2800 - Hadii aad Caawimaad u baahantahay 612-673-3500.
Last updated Jul 1, 2020
