Every day in Cuyahoga County, thousands of pounds of edible food goes to waste. Leftover or surplus food from parties, restaurants, cafeterias and supermarkets often lands in the trash when it could be recovered to feed hungry men, women and children.

Many restaurants and institutions in our county already donate their leftover perishable and non-perishable food. As a result, fresh and nutritious food is collected and channelled to local agencies that operate hundreds of shelters, hunger centers and hot meal programs. Recovery of this food reduces hunger and reduces waste at the same time.

Who can donate surplus food?
Anyone can donate non-perishable food such as packaged and canned goods. To donate perishable food, your organization must have a current health department certificate and follow appropriate food handling procedures. Food prepared in a private home cannot be donated unless the food is leftover from a catered meal or party.

Potential food donors

Airlines Bakeries Businesses Cafeterias Caterers Country Clubs Food Manufacturers Food Vendors

Food Wholesalers Grocers Hospitals Hotels Reception Halls Restaurants Schools Universities and Colleges

Benefits of food donation

• Reduces hunger in our community
• Saves on waste disposal costs
• Donations are tax-deductible

How does food donation work?
In Cuyahoga County, a cooperative food network of social service agencies runs hundreds of hot meal programs, pantries and shelters which serve the hungry. These include Catholic Charities, the Hunger Network, the Interchurch Council, Salvation Army and numerous independent agencies. They are all partnership organizations of the Greater Cleveland Committee on Hunger, which coordinates the annual Harvest for Hunger Campaign.

Much of the food served by these agencies is provided to them by Cleveland's main food distribution organization: The Cleveland Foodbank, Inc. This non-profit organization distributes surplus food to agencies feeding the hungry and promotes the safe, efficient and equitable distribution of food. To make your food donation, we suggest that you contact The Cleveland Foodbank directly. They will distribute your donation to local hunger agencies.

What about liability?
The State of Ohio has a Good Samaritan Food Law (Ohio Revised Code Section 2305.37) to protect food donors from liability. Specifically, the law states that a good-faith donor of perishable food fit for human consumption at the time of donation will not be subject to civil damages resulting from the condition of the food.

What to donate
Cleveland Foodbank, Inc.
216-738-2265

• Accepts non-perishable food items including canned, dried, dehydrated, and packaged items.
• Accepts perishable and prepared food and produce including fresh, frozen and cooked meats, poultry, fish, cold cuts, eggs, cheese, soups, fresh fruits and vegetables, grains, flour, nuts, beans, pasta and sauces.
• Distributes 10.5 million meals per year to 359 human service organizations including shelters, food pantries and soup kitchens. Pick-up service available for large quantities; although, deliveries are appreciated to keep operating costs down.

Photo courtesy of the Alameda County Waste Management Authority.