Donate Food
- With so many people going hungry in this country it is shameful that so much food is wasted.
- Millions of pounds of food and groceries from restaurants and stores go to waste each year. Beyond the Crisis is finding new methods to send this food that would otherwise go to waste to struggling families.
- Any donation over 5,000 pounds is considered a large donation. For these types of larger donations email us at contact-us@beyondthecrisis.org so we can pick up the food on site.
We Accept
- Canned and dry goods, unopened and in their original packaging, labeled with ingredients and allergens, in good condition (no dents, bulging, or rust).
- Fresh produce that is uncut with no signs of mold, spoilage or severe bruising.
- Dairy products that are unopened and must be received at 41F.
- Milk, juices and similar products must be pasteurized.
- Meat products that are unopened and have been frozen on or before the sell-by date, labeled as for commercial sale. Items should be less than 3 months old (having been kept frozen the whole time).
- Deli products, (salads, sandwiches) in their original unopened containers, labeled with ingredients and allergens. Must be received at 41F or below, donated or frozen on or before the sell-by date.
Accepted Products
- Canned meat (tuna, salmon, chicken, ham, etc.)
- Soups (beef stew, chicken noodle, etc.)
- Canned Fruits & Vegetables (green beans, corn, peaches, pears, etc.)
- Canned or dried beans
- Canned Stew (Chili, etc.)
- Tomato Sauce (Spaghetti and Marinara Sauce)
- Pasta (whole wheat)
- Brown Rice
- Rice and Beans
- Dry low-sugar cereal
- Shelf-stable pasteurized & non-dairy Milk
- Peanut Butter and Jelly
- Granola Bars, Crackers, Cheez-Its, Graham Crackers, Pop-Tarts, Animal Crackers, Healthy Snacks
- Popcorn Kernels
- Bottled Water
- Single serving 100% juice boxes
Not Accepted
- Expired food: When considering what to donate, think about what you’d be comfortable serving to your family. Chances are, you don’t eat food that is past its “use-by” or “sell-by” date, so avoid donating anything past those dates to food banks as it could be unsafe to eat.
- Leftovers: While it may be tempting to want to share the bountiful food from big meals like Thanksgiving, it’s best to keep leftovers for the family. To ensure the people they serve are safe, food banks can’t accept leftovers or anything made in personal kitchens because they aren’t individually sealed and the food bank can’t verify the ingredients or preparation process.
- Food with packaging concerns: This includes food with damaged packaging such as dented or bloated cans, packaging that is already open, or even items in glass containers, which can shatter and cause food safety concerns. A good rule of thumb is if you wouldn't consider buying it new, don't donate it.
- Baked goods: Similar to leftovers, since food banks can’t confirm how your baked goods were made or their ingredients, they can’t be donated. But food banks often have relationships with local restaurants or bakeries which will donate extra food that is properly labeled to nearby pantries, soup kitchens, or shelters.
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Learn More Here
- 617-380-7575
- contact-us@beyondthecrisis.org
- 508-653-2359
841 Worcester St.
Suite #107 Natick,
MA 01760-2076
