Donation Guidelines
City Harvest has strict food safety guidelines for the food that we accept. We gratefully accept perishable and prepared foods maintained in safe temperature zones and chilled or frozen before being donated. Donated food must be provided by a regulated or licensed food business, such as a restaurant, caterer, wholesaler or bakery. Donated food must exclude foods previously served to the public.
Prepared Foods
Preferred Packaging:
Packaged separately, securely closed, avoid spillage
Storage Conditions**:
Chilled, 40°F or less, frozen, 0°F or less
Non-Acceptable Conditions***:
Mixing food types e.g. meats and side dishes
Prepared Foods: Sandwiches
Preferred Packaging:
Wrapped in clear plastic, wrap or foil
Storage Conditions**:
Chilled, 40°F or less
Non-Acceptable Conditions***:
Mixing food types e.g. meats and side dishes
Baked Goods: Fresh or day-old bread and/or bagels
Preferred Packaging:
Must use City Harvest bags and be kept separate from other baked goods
Storage Conditions**:
Cool, dry area
Non-Acceptable Conditions***:
Stale/hard
Baked Goods: Muffins, Pastries cookies
Preferred Packaging:
Pack in own paper boxes avoid crumbling
Storage Conditions**:
Cool, dry area
Non-Acceptable Conditions***:
Stale/hard bread
Prepackaged Foods: Perishables
Preferred Packaging:
Packaged separately, securely closed
Storage Conditions**:
Chilled, 40°F or less
Non-Acceptable Conditions***:
Opened, punctured, bulging or damaged packaging
Prepackaged Foods: Non-perishable
(mislabeled-ok with proper notification)
Preferred Packaging:
Packaged separately, securely closed
Storage Conditions**:
Cool, dry area
Non-Acceptable Conditions***:
Opened, punctured, bulging or damaged packaging
Frozen: Dairy, Pastries Factory-prepared
Preferred Packaging:
Packaged separately, securely closed
Storage Conditions**:
Frozen, 0°F or less
Non-Acceptable Conditions***:
Defrosted, punctured, opened or damaged packaging, severe freezer burn
Frozen: Vegetables, Meat, Poultry, Fish
Preferred Packaging:
Packaged separately, securely closed
Storage Conditions**:
Frozen, 0°F or less
Non-Acceptable Conditions***:
Defrosted or damaged packaging, severe freezer burn
Frozen: Dairy
Preferred Packaging:
Individually wrapped clear plastic wrap
Storage Conditions**:
Refrigerated at all times
Non-Acceptable Conditions***:
Damaged packaging
Frozen: Milk
Preferred Packaging:
Securely closed
Storage Conditions**:
Refrigerated at all times, 40°F or less
Non-Acceptable Conditions***:
Damaged packaging
Frozen: Meat, Poultry, Fish (Fresh)
Preferred Packaging:
Original packaging, clear plastic wrap, City Harvest logo bags
Storage Conditions**:
Refrigerated at all times, 40°F or less
Non-Acceptable Conditions***:
Strong odor, discoloration
Fresh Produce: Whole
Preferred Packaging:
Bag or carton
Storage Conditions**:
Cool, dry area
Non-Acceptable Conditions***:
Significant decay
Fresh Produce: Chopped
Preferred Packaging:
Bag each vegetable stored separately
Storage Conditions**:
Chilled, 40°F or less
Non-Acceptable Conditions***:
Color change or decay
Beverages: Perishable
Preferred Packaging:
Securely closed bag or carton
Storage Conditions**:
Chilled, 40°F or less
Non-Acceptable Conditions***:
Alcohol not accepted
Beverages: Non-Perishable
Preferred Packaging:
Bag or carton
Storage Conditions**:
Cool, dry, unopened
Non-Acceptable Conditions***:
Opened, punctured, bulging
More information
Packaging: City Harvest supplies clear, food grade bags for food donation use. If you are able to provide your own disposable packaging for donations that require more than plastic bags, you help City Harvest use its resources most effectively. However, we don't want packaging to get in the way of your good intentions. Call us at 917.351.8700.
** Chilled perishable food should be below 40°F except during necessary times of preparation or while being held for service which may not exceed two hours.
*** We do not accept any products that contain alcohol.
