Food Donation Mistakes Everyone Makes
Knowing Donations
It can be a wonderful thing to donate things to local food banks.
After all, people can hit rough times and need a hand. However, these donations centers often end up with so many things they can’t use or huge mistakes that end up costing both sides money. Here are some of the most common mistakes and how to avoid them.
Checking In
Before you visit to donate, check the hours of your local food bank.
Because they are mostly run by volunteers, they might not have regular opening hours or days. But you should be calling in EVERY time you want to donate because their needs constantly change. One day, they might need a load of toilet paper, but the other day will require a bunch of oranges.
Opened Food
Never donate opened food to food banks!
This isn’t conservation. It’s waste. If you think you’re left over Thanksgiving dinner is a good idea, think twice. It will just go in the garbage. Aside from spoilage issues, there’s a general health concern. New, unopen, intact items only.
Expired Food
There are a ton of online channels about how to get a deal if food is “just past its best date.”
However, even if that 1-day expired bacon is hugely discounted, forget about donating it. There are laws and health issues that prohibit giving out such things. Instead, just buy it for yourself … if you dare.
Refrigerated Items
Cold-store items are not bad. In fact, they are often needed.
But before loading up on cheese and yoghurt, ALWAYS call the food bank and see if they have refrigeration facilities. Basically, if you call ahead for anything, your shopping list will be automatically made for you!
Homemade Things
Sorry, as much as granny’s famous sugar snap cookies are little discs of heaven, food banks will not accept them.
This included homemade canned or jarred things. It doesn’t matter if the jam is divine. It’s the same line as sending in opened or expired items. Instead hold a bake sale and donate the money instead.
Unlabelled Things
Do you have a mystery can that’s been sitting in the back of the cupboard for two years?
Forget it. Food banks are not “let’s give them the garbage we don’t want” places. It’s better just to toss what ever is inside and recycle the can. On that note, always check expiration dates before buying.