Food Rescue Program

Each year in Minnesota, millions of pounds of food goes to waste. Second Harvest Heartland’s Food Rescue Program offers an innovative solution: divert food that would otherwise be thrown away to people in need.

Each weekday, the Food Rescue Program's professional drivers collect produce, dairy, deli, meat, bakery and grocery items from more than 275 retail grocers. This donated product is distributed to food shelves, soup kitchens and shelters throughout Second Harvest Heartland's 59 county service area. In our last fiscal year, more than 18 million pounds of nutritious food was distributed to our neighbors in need—an increase of 55% over last year.

 

Donations

The Food Rescue program accepts perishable and shelf-stable food, with an emphasis on retail products such as meat, produce, deli, dairy, and bakery. However, we cannot accept food that has been placed before the public.

Participation is easy because all donations are collected by a Second Harvest Heartland Food Rescue Driver. Our drivers are certified food handlers trained to the standards required by the Department of Environmental Health and the Department of Agriculture. Operating seven refrigerated trucks, our drivers guarantee safe pickup and delivery of food donations—taking virtually all the work out of your hands.

To schedule a pickup call April Rog, Food Sourcing Manager, at 651.282.0876.

 

You’re Protected

The Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Donations Act is a federal law ensuring that donors are protected from any civil and criminal liability if donated products somehow cause harm to a recipient. We encourage businesses to donate food and grocery products worry-free.

For more information about the Good Samaritan Donations Act, call Paul Jacobs, Director of Food Rescue, at 651.209.7914. or click here to read the text.

 

A Sampling of Food Rescue Donors:

Target
Walmart
Sam's Club
Cub Foods
Kowalski's
Lunds
Byerly’s
Roundy’s
Mississippi Market