Businesses that generously donate surplus food to Second Harvest improve their environmental impact while helping feed people in need.
At no cost to your business, we manage the logistics of transport and redistribution of all surplus food, either by picking up with our trucks or through FoodRescue.ca. Depending on volume and location, Second Harvest provides regular, reliable pick-up or drop-off opportunities. FoodRescue.ca is the conduit making donations in communities across Ontario.
In considering risk, everyone is protected by provincial legislation, such as Ontario’s Donation of Food Act, 1994, when food is donated in good faith.
Please download our FOOD DONOR PACKAGE for large surplus volumes, or go to FoodRescue.ca to learn more about food rescue in your own community.
Due to implementing strict food safety measures, Second Harvest has not experienced one food safety related incident in 34 years of operation.
Donating food to Second Harvest reduces environmentally harmful greenhouse gas emissions and helps save the environment from unnecessary landfill.
Communities grow stronger when FoodRescue.ca creates local connections and partnerships.
Ian Gibbons, Senior Manager, Food Recovery
iang@secondharvest.ca
416.540.0473
Winston Rosser, National Food Donor Manager,
winstonr@secondharvest.ca,
416-570-5803
We are a food rescue program that rescues fresh, surplus from over 742 food donors and distributes it to over 373 social service agencies. Thanks to the generosity of our food donors, we are able to provide food for over 34,000 meals per day.
It’s a cost-effective, environmental and socially responsible way to deal with surplus food.
The Ontario Donation of Food Act protects all companies from any liability when donating food in good will.
Pick-ups are arranged simply by phoning the office at 416.408.2594 and Dialing 1 for Dispatch. You can choose a regularly scheduled pick-up day(s) if you have surplus food at least once a week. Or you can choose to call on an ad-hoc basis. Second Harvest can often pick up food on the same day you call in, or within 24 hours.
No, Second Harvest does NOT re-sell food. Our food donors are our partners in Hunger Relief. All food donations are distributed at no cost to the social services agencies feeding people in need.
Upon your request, we will gladly repackage food product or remove branded labels in our warehouse before distribution. We can also send photos of this process.
Yes, as long is the food is non-perishable and has unopened packaging. According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), you can safely eat food after the “best before” date has passed. “Best before” dates are indicators of food quality, not food safety. When the date has passed, food may lose some of its freshness, flavor, texture, and/or nutritional value.
No more than 6 months for all non-perishable food, provided it’s sealed and stored in a well-ventilated, climate controlled environment. Baby food is the exception. Second Harvest does not accept any baby food that is past “best before” date. All baby food must have at least one month before its “best before” date arrives.
No, with the exception of certain food that is frozen before expiry (see below). According to CFIA, food should not be eaten if the expiration date has passed. Expired food should be discarded.
Yes, within freezer storage time limits. According to the USDA, frozen foods remain safe indefinitely because freezing prevents the growth of microorganisms that cause both food spoilage and food borne illness. However, the quality of frozen food deteriorates over time.
Edible please. No fruits or vegetables with mold, decay, discoloration, and/or off odor.