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Why donate surplus food?

Garbage and recycling  ›  Recycle at work  ›  Fork It Over! food donation  ›  Why donate?

Businesses can address problems of hunger and waste by viewing surplus food as a resource, not a waste product. Find out how food donation helps those in need and benefits your business.

Top five reasons to donate

1. It's safe and legal – Good Samaritan laws protect donors.
2. You may be able to reduce the cost of your garbage bill.
3. Your business will help reduce hunger and waste.
4. Your donations may be tax deductible.
5. Food donation boosts employee morale and strengthens community relationships.

Food waste in the region

Residents of the Portland metropolitan region throw away 180,000 tons of food every year. That's 15 percent of all waste going to landfills. Not only is it a waste, but it is expensive. Waste disposal fees are based on weight, and some of the heaviest materials disposed are food products. Not only do you pay to purchase the materials in the first place, but you pay again to throw them out.

At a dollar value to food banks of $1.67 per pound, residents of the metro region threw away an estimated $300 million worth of food just in this region alone. It cost nearly $11 million to truck the discarded food to the landfill and bury it. Nationally, close to 48 million tons of edible food is thrown away every year – rescuing just 5 percent of this food would feed 4 million people for a day.

Oregon consistently ranks among the top 10 worst states in the nation for outright hunger and food insecurity (meaning the number of people that are not sure from month to month if they will have enough food to eat). Your donations will help some of the 190,000 individuals in this state who eat meals from emergency food boxes each month. Most of these Oregonians are working families, the retired or disabled.
Visit the Oregon Food Bank site

Not only a benefit to others, but a benefit to your business

Businesses can help address problems of both hunger and waste by viewing surplus food as a resource, not a waste product. Donation provides an opportunity not only to potentially reduce your garbage costs, but to provide food to those in need.

Companies can usually take some sort of tax deduction for donated food, although the amount of the deductions can vary based upon a number of factors including whether a company is a "C" corporation, "S" corporation/partnership, or non-incorporated and what method of accounting is used for cost and expenses incurred in producing or acquiring the contributed food. Food rescue programs can usually provide you with information on obtaining tax deductions.

You are protected from liability

Oregon and federal Good Samaritan laws protect you from liability when donating food you believe to be safe and edible. These laws were specifically designed to encourage donation of needed foods and to protect donors.
More about liability protection

Need assistance?

Fork It Over!
503-234-3000
info@forkitover.org