Restaurants, Catering & Food Service Donors

The Foodbank operates a prepared and perishable food rescue program in Stark County called Community Harvest. Food that might otherwise go to waste is donated from restaurants, caterers, grocery stores, hospitals, etc. Donations are picked up on weekday mornings by a skilled team of drivers, loaded onto a refrigerated box truck, and delivered the same day to local hunger-relief programs. Donors may  have a regular, weekly pick-up schedule or contact us when they have donations available. 

In the other counties we serve – Carroll, Holmes, Medina, Portage, Summit, Tuscarawas and Wayne – we work with donors to coordinate prepared food and food inventory donations that go directly to a local hunger-relief program.

Prepared & Perishable Food Donations

When donating prepared and perishable food from your restaurant, catering or food service company, please follow these guidelines:

  • The donation must be picked up within 72 hours of being prepared so it can be immediately distributed.  
  • Each food container must be labeled with the name and address of your organization, preparation date, a brief item description such as “Lasagna,” and any known allergens or an allergen disclaimer. Labeling requirements for prepared food may change according to Feeding America requirements. If you prefer to remain anonymous, we can provide you with a number to use in place of your name and address. 
  • Donate the food in food-grade containers that are sealed/closed.
  • Keep donations at appropriate temperatures during preparation and storage to ensure food safety.  
  • Donate the prepared food frozen whenever possible.
  • We cannot accept food that has been placed out on a buffet, self-service or cook’s line where contamination/cross contamination can occur.  

Food Inventory Donations

The Foodbank rescues food inventory when it approaches its Best By, Use By or Sell By date. These dates are quality or inventory rotation dates, not safety dates. The product has a safe, consumable life beyond this date when in good condition (except for baby food, which cannot be consumed after the date on the product).  

Food that is compromised or has become unsafe to eat is not donatable. Examples of this are cans with rust, mold, deep dents to the body, or dents on the rim or seam that allow bacteria to enter the can. Boxed food with a tear to the exterior box and interior bag are not donatable. Food with signs of mold, decay, odd color or smell, that has been exposed to chemicals, or with wet or dirty packaging are also not donatable.

Power outage donations

If you lose power, contact the Foodbank and we’ll do our best to rescue what’s in your freezer and cooler before it expires.

Donor Benefits

Your donations help feed individuals and families in need in our community. Partnering with the Foodbank provides several benefits.

Brand Integrity

  • Comprehensive liability protection
  • National and local recall notification system

Financial Benefits

  • Receipts for all donations 
  • Enhanced 170(e)(3) tax deduction eligibility for food and non-food donations
  • Reduce waste and waste disposal expenses
  • Free product pickup from any location in the eight counties we serve

Community Investment

  • Local community impact and outreach
  • Assistance with sustainability; waste minimization
  • Brand recognition through the Foodbank’s Major Partner Program

Donate Now

To make a donation or receive more information about our Community Harvest program, please call the Foodbank’s food sourcing team at 330.493.0800 and select option 5 or email fooddonation@acrfb.org.