Food Donation —Let’s Get Started.

Food donation can help your business comply with the Massachusetts Commercial Food Material Disposal Ban while reducing disposal costs and supporting people in need.

Who Can Donate?

Events

Farms

K-12 Schools

Manufacturers
Restaurants

Supermarkets

Universities

Wholesalers

Events

Farmers

K-12 Schools

Manufacturers
Restaurants

Supermarkets

Universities

Wholesalers

This webpage provides guidance to organizations interested in establishing food donation programs by offering a broad overview of how successful food donation programs can be structured.

Understanding Food Donation

Why donate surplus edible food?

Every day, businesses across Massachusetts discard thousands of pounds of edible food that could otherwise feed people facing food insecurity. By donating surplus food and diverting it from the waste stream, businesses can not only help food insecure members of their community but also qualify for tax incentives.

Taking action to donate edible surplus food is a proven strategy to effectively reduce wasted food. Additionally, this practice helps businesses comply with Massachusetts’ Commercial Food Material Disposal Ban.

Throwing away food also means throwing away potential savings. To explore how this works, view our Throwing Away Food & Money resource.

EPA Wasted Food Scale

The US EPA’s Wasted Food Scale highlights feeding people as one of the most effective strategies to reduce wasted food. Businesses should consider how they can strengthen their wasted food prevention and management plans by utilizing the scale’s different pathways.

Breaking Down Barriers to Food Donation

Start or Strengthen Your Food Donation Program

Learn the steps, best practices, and legal protections for safely donating surplus food in Massachusetts. Our Best Management Practices page offers guidance on food safety, storage, labeling, transportation, tax incentives, and working with food rescue partners

Steps for Establishing a Food Donation Process

Building a Donation Program

Laws and Liability Protection

Tax Incentives

Date Labeling

Ingredient & Allergen Labeling

Food That Can Be Donated

Finding Partner Food Rescue Organizations

Building Relationships with Partner Food Rescue Organizations

Steps for Establishing a Food Donation Process

Building a Donation Program

Laws and Liability Protection

Tax Incentives

Date Labeling

Ingredient & Allergen Labeling

Food That Can Be Donated

Finding Partner Food Rescue Organizations

Building Relationships with Partner Food Rescue Organizations

The RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts program has worked with state and local health officials, food rescue organizations, food banks, and organizations with established food donation programs to develop this Food Donation guidance document. This webpage was originally created in 2015 following three stakeholder meetings and has been updated over time with new information.

This information is not intended to supersede guidance from your local health department, corporate policy, or contractual agreements. Always consult with your local health department for the most accurate and up-to-date information relevant to your business.