A Message to Food Industry Donors

Surplus food donations received from food industry donors (local food manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, local grocery stores and their reclamation centers-damaged salvage product) are the cornerstone of our food distribution program.

Companies that donate product that might otherwise be dumped or go to waste can receive tax deductions and reduce disposal costs and are protected from liability by the Good Samaritan Act. Learn more about the benefits of donating.The Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC serves a network of hunger-relief agencies across 18 counties, with 25 years experience in warehouse management and logistics. We are a proud member of America’s Second Harvest, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization.

Whether you are a manufacturer, processor, distributor, restaurant, caterer or food service organization, we will make the donation process quick and easy for your company.

Benefits of donating include...

• Convenience – You want excess product out of your warehouse fast.  We can handle almost any quantity quickly and efficiently. (See below for list of types of product we can accept.) 
  
• Safety – We adhere to strict food-safety standards for freshness as well as for receiving and storing products. Our facilities include a 64,000-square-foot warehouse with 44,000-cubic feet of freezer space and 41,000-cubic feet of cooler space.
  
• Our Fleet – When a donation is made, our warehouse dispatches from a fleet of refrigerated trucks that maintains food in temperature-controlled storage.
  
• Proper receipts and records – Donors receive an itemized receipt specifying the number of items or total weight received. Our entire inventory is computerized and traceable, for your safety and convenience.
  
• Experienced Professionals – Our staff knows your industry and will make the donation process work smoothly and efficiently for you. We have the experience and expertise to handle general food donations, produce donations, and perishable or prepared food donations.
  
• Tax benefits – These often outweigh the returns from a distressed sale.  Check with your accountant for complete tax benefits information.
  
• The Good Samaritan Law – The Federal “ Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act” and the state Good Samaritan Law give food donors double protection against liability. 

We can handle a variety of packaged and fresh foods and basic household items including:

• Shelf-stable product that has not reached expiration
• Fresh produce and frozen foods
• Dairy and juice that have usable shelf life per the manufacturer
• Excess inventory from promotions, discontinued, test-market and national or private-label products
• Excess food products from trade shows and overruns
• Off-specification products, including mislabeled and unlabeled packages
• Household items, including personal care and cleaning products and childcare items
• Prepared perishable food (through our Second Helpings program)

For more information, contact Chuck Harmon, Food Sourcing/Food Drive Coordinator, at (336) 784-5770 or charmon@secondharvest.org.