Food donations
Save money and help your community by giving away extra food.
Benefits to your business
Save money
On your taxes
- The federal tax code allows a deduction for donated food
- Read about federal tax deduction for food donations
On your garbage bill
- Everything that leaves your business as garbage is taxed extra fees. There is no state solid waste tax or county solid waste fee on recycling or organics.
Help your community and the environment
Donating extra food ahelps local hunger-relief agencies serve those in need.
In the U.S., as much as 40% of food made for people to eat is wasted.
How to donate
We explain how to get started and how to donate safely.
Donate food to people
Feeding America has a food rescue app called Meal Connect. Meal Connect makes it easy to donate your extra food to people in need.
Donate food to animals
You can partner with a local farmer to have your scraps picked up and turned into animal feed.
Protection from liability
The Food Donation Improvement Act (FDIA) protects you when donating food. Businesses that donate food in good faith:
- Are not liable for the condition of the food
- Must donate to a nonprofit for distribution to people in need
Video
Get help from Hennepin County
The County offers free technical help and grants to businesses. Learn how to reduce wasted food, donate food and compost with organics recycling.
Contact us
Minneapolis Health Department
Phone
Address
Public Service Building
505 Fourth Ave. S., Room 520
Minneapolis, MN 55415