Did you know that donating your business's surplus food isn't just a "good deed"—it's a smart business move? From saving on disposal costs to supporting your local community, donating your surplus food is a win-win.
If you have extra food but aren't sure where to start, FoodMesh is your trusted partner in navigating the process safely and efficiently. This guide breaks down the best practices to ensure your surplus reaches those who need it most—quickly, easily, and without the guesswork.
Why donate? Beyond the feel-good factor
While supporting your community may be your primary goal, there are tangible benefits for your business as well:
- Save money: Diverting leftovers from the landfill can significantly reduce your waste disposal fees.
- Tax incentives: Many charities can issue tax receipts for your donations. Note: Check with the specific charity first, as not all are eligible to issue receipts.
- Liability protection: A common myth is that businesses are legally liable if someone gets sick from donated food. In reality, most Canadian provinces have Food Donor Encouragement Acts that protect businesses donating in good faith. To ensure further safety, all our recipient partners follow strict food safety protocols and hold all necessary permits and licenses.
Best practices for donating surplus food
Packaging and storage standards
To maintain high food safety standards and keep our donation recipients safe, please follow these guidelines when donating food:
- Standard prep: All items must be dated, labeled, and sealed in their original packaging.
- Opened packaging: Generally, we cannot accept items with compromised or opened packaging due to safety risks. If you're unsure, reach out to us and we can evaluate it together.
- The banana box hack: You can use clean banana boxes from your inventory to store your donations. If you're donating "wet" items (like fruit or leafy greens), please line the box with a clean bin bag first.
- Separation is key: Organize donations by department. Keep meat and bakery items in separate containers. If donating from a deli, label each dish separately rather than mixing them.
- Temperature control: Store perishables in the fridge or freezer until pickup. Non-perishables (pasta, cans, etc.) can stay at ambient temperature.
- Off the floor: Never place donation boxes directly on the floor. Use pallets, trolleys, or shelving to avoid contamination.
- Weight limit: For the safety of those lifting, please ensure no individual box weighs more than 20 kg.
Busting common myths
- Liability protection: Don't let the fear of legal risk stop you from doing good. The truth is that most Canadian provinces have Food Donor Encouragement Acts specifically designed to protect businesses that donate in good faith. To provide you with even greater peace of mind, FoodMesh ensures that all recipient partners follow strict food safety protocols and hold all necessary permits and licenses.
- Meat and dairy: A common misconception is that animal products are "too risky" to donate. The truth? Your business CAN donate meat and dairy. In fact, charities prioritize these high-protein items for their clients. As long as they have been stored at correct temperatures and are handled safely, they are incredibly valuable donations. Pro-tip: Freeze meat before its best-before-date to lock in freshness and extend its life. And for meat and dairy that is no longer human-edible, we can often find a home for them with local farmers!
- Use your senses (the "Best Before" rule): Don't be scared of a "Best Before" date. These dates are indicators of peak freshness, not safety. If the food is unopened and has been stored correctly, it is likely still suitable for donation.
- Not human-edible? Not a problem: Don't assume your surplus is "trash" just because it isn't human-edible. If it’s no longer suitable for charities, then we will find another user for your surplus food.
- Animal feed: Food no longer fit for people may be perfect for local farms.
- Upcycling: Some organizations can process non-edible scraps into new products or energy.
How to get started with FoodMesh
If you have surplus food, FoodMesh makes the donation process simple and reliable. Here are answers to the most common questions, to help you get started:
Who do I contact?
You can reach out to the FoodMesh team directly at engage@foodmesh.ca or call 1-884-888-6374.
How much notice is needed?
We know timing is everything when dealing with perishables. When you contact us with details of your unexpected surplus, you can expect:
- Confirmation of who will collect your surplus: Within one hour.
- Pickup: Within 48 hours.
Is there a minimum or maximum volume of food that I can donate?
A good rule of thumb is a minimum of 2 cases of product, and we can handle up to several pallets! If you have a massive amount of surplus, don’t worry—we can often coordinate multiple recipients to clear your space. If you’re ever in doubt about your volume, just ask us!
What if I'm not sure if my food is suitable for donation?
Reach out! FoodMesh has a vast network including charities, farmers, and upcyclers. Even if your food isn't fit for human consumption, we can often find a productive use for it.
To quickly see if your surplus is a good candidate for donation, you can use our Self-Service Donation Checker. Simply share a few details about your food, and we'll let you know if it's still good to donate.
Is there a cost?
Through our community partnership program, we offer free pickup service of unexpected surplus to businesses operating in:
- Metro Vancouver
- Fraser Valley
For businesses outside of these regions, a service fee may apply.
What if I have a regular supply of surplus?
If your business generates unsold food consistently, our Managed Food Recovery Service is designed for you. We take the hassle out of waste management by matching you with a reliable network of organizations to collect your surplus on a schedule that works for you—up to 364 days a year.
By diverting 100% of your edible and inedible food away from the landfill, you can:
- Reduce costs: Save up to 40% on waste hauling fees by significantly reducing your trash volume.
- Boost efficiency: Your team simply sets the food aside; we handle the logistics and scheduling.
- Maximize impact: We ensure every pound of food reaches its highest and best use—whether that's feeding people in your community or nourishing local farm animals.
Find your hidden savings today with a free expert assessment.
What if I want to sell my surplus?
We can help with that too! If you have excess, short-dated, or discontinued food products that still have market value, you can turn those into liquid assets quickly through our Surplus Marketplace.
It’s a simple, streamlined way to recover costs:
- Reach professional buyers: Your inventory is shared with a verified network of buyers looking for discounted goods.
- Clear warehouse space: Quickly move products that are taking up valuable room in your facility.
- Easy listing: Simply list your inventory on the marketplace, and we’ll help connect your supply with the right demand.
Whether you are looking to recover value from excess inventory or source products at a discount, our marketplace ensures that good food finds a home instead of a landfill.
Ready to make a difference with your surplus? By contacting FoodMesh today, you’re not just clearing out your warehouse—you’re building a more sustainable food system.