Donate Food

Turn your surplus into support for Baltimore communities

Turn Your Surplus into Support

We invite local businesses, food manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, restaurants, and organizations to donate surplus food to our coalition.

Your donations help us supply healthy food to our network of 191 partner pantries and distribution sites, which share it free with thousands of Baltimore neighbors each week.

Our donation process is simple, safe, and beneficial for your business.

Legal Protection for Donors

Donations are protected by federal law

The Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act shields donors from civil and criminal liability when donating food in good faith to nonprofits.

Food Access Coalition is a collaboration of nonprofits, each with its own EIN. Food you donate through the coalition is received by one of our partner nonprofits, and donors are protected from liability when donating to nonprofit organizations, except in cases of gross negligence or intentional misconduct.

This legal protection covers businesses including:

Food retailers and grocers
Restaurants and cafeterias
Food manufacturers
Food distributors
Wholesalers
Caterers and event venues
Food trucks
Farmers and agricultural producers

Tax Benefits for Your Business

Donating surplus food doesn't just help the community—it can also provide tax advantages for your business.

Enhanced Tax Deductions

Qualified businesses can receive enhanced federal tax deductions for food donations up to 15% of your taxable income.

Documentation for Your Records

Food Access Coalition is a collaboration of nonprofits, each with its own EIN. The partner nonprofit that receives your donation provides the documentation for your food donations to support your tax deductions, including:

Detailed receipts for donated items
Annual donation summaries for your tax records

Note: While we provide this information as a service to our donors, we recommend consulting with your tax professional for advice specific to your business situation.

Our Responsive, Hassle-Free Process

We understand that your business operates on tight schedules and efficiency matters. Our donation process is designed to be as simple and convenient as possible.

Highly Responsive Team

Our team responds quickly to all donation inquiries, typically within 24 hours. We coordinate pickup times that work best for your schedule.

We Handle the Logistics

Our trained driver and assistant can come directly to your facility, help build pallets of donated food, and handle all aspects of transport.

Flexible Scheduling

We work around your business hours and can schedule regular pickups or one-time collections based on your needs and availability.

Documentation Provided

Donation receipts and documentation for your records come from the partner nonprofit that receives your donation, at the time of pickup or shortly thereafter.

Our goal is to make food donation as easy as possible for your business.

Food Safety & Accepted Items

Safety Standards

All donated food must meet basic safety and labeling standards. We cannot accept food that is unsafe or unfit for consumption.

Types of Food We Accept:

Fresh Produce

Fruits and vegetables
Slightly blemished but edible produce
Bulk quantities welcome

Refrigerated & Frozen

Dairy products
Frozen meals and ingredients
Meat and poultry (properly packaged)

Shelf-Stable Items

Canned goods
Dry goods (pasta, rice, beans)
Packaged foods

Prepared Foods

Properly handled prepared foods
Restaurant overproduction
Catering excess

Packaging Considerations:

Products should be in their original packaging when possible
Bulk or palletized food donations are welcome
We can provide containers for prepared food donations if needed

Not sure if your food donation qualifies? Contact us—we're happy to discuss your specific situation.

Ready to Donate?

Thank you for partnering with Food Access Coalition to help Baltimore's communities.