Donate Food

Food Safety

Worried About Liability?

There's no danger in donating food to City Harvest. Both New York State and the federal government have laws protecting donors from liability. And City Harvest asks all recipients to sign an agreement accepting food "as is," which further limits liability. City Harvest asks all of its recipients to sign an agreement accepting food "as is," which further limits liability. City Harvest recommends consulting legal counsel for detailed information. Food donors are protected under the following laws:

  • Federal Law: The Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act
  • New York State Law: Enacted 1981, Article 4-D, Section 71-2
          71-Z Liability for canned, perishable food or farm products distributed free of charge

City Harvest Practices Food Safety

imageAt City Harvest we take our responsibility to you and the people we serve very seriously. Donating food to City Harvest isn't only smart, it's safe.

  • All of our drivers are trained to handle food safely.
  • Our trucks are refrigerated to keep food at safe
          temperatures.
  • We train all recipient agencies in safe food
          preparation and handling.
  • Agency kitchens are evaluated for their food safety
          practices.
  • City Harvest's staff includes a registered dietitian and professional chef who make food safety a
          paramount concern.