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Business Edible Food Donations

Edible food donations Watch this short video for more information about donating food and a business testimonial.

Donate food. It's easy to do!

Though many businesses take measures to reduce the amount of waste produced, there is always some generated in the food industry. Your business can put its unwanted food to good use, reduce your climate impact and improve your bottom line at the same time. Edible food donations can save your business money while also making an immediate impact toward helping feed hungry families. By donating edible food, your business could:

• lower its garbage bill.
• qualify for a tax deduction.
• inspire employee pride.
• show your community that your business cares.

If your business has edible food that can’t be sold, don’t throw it away. Hunger relief organizations can make sure that it gets to someone who needs it while it’s still healthy and nutritious to eat. These organizations have the networks, staff and infrastructure in place to distribute food quickly and safely. Food donations of almost any type and quantity are needed and welcome. If your business has food products that are no longer edible, they can be collected for composting, often for less that the cost of garbage disposal.

Learn about donating unprepared food (PDF, 379 K) including canned goods, dry food, frozen and refrigerated food or prepared and perishable food (PDF, 200 K) such as restaurant and deli foods (Seattle businesses only).

Search King County's “What do I do With…?” Web site to find organizations receiving food donations, or to compost or dispose inedible food that can't be donated. Individual hunger relief organizations listed can provide information about donation needs, guidelines and potential tax deductions.

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