Donating Food

Much of the food we distribute comes from local donors, including grocers, food producers, restaurants, farms and individuals like you. We cannot accept items like turkeys from individual donors, however. Learn what to donate.

Donating Food

Much of the food we distribute comes from local donors, including grocers, food producers, restaurants, farms and individuals like you. We cannot accept items like turkeys from individual donors, however. Learn what to donate.

  • High-protein, shelf-stable foods, such as canned meats and fish, nuts, peanut butter, jerky and lentils
  • Breakfast foods, such as cereal, oatmeal, granola, granola bars, protein bars, protein shakes and coffee
  • Canned tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce and spaghetti sauce
  • Canned vegetables and beans
  • Condiments, cooking oils, spices, baking mixes, flour, sugar, baking soda and powder
  • Easily prepared or already prepared foods, such as mac ‘n’ cheese
  • Low-sugar dried fruit, apple sauce and canned fruit without syrup
  • Masa, mole, chiles and other specialty spices
  • Pasta, rice and corn meal
  • Shelf-stable milk and milk alternatives, such as oat milk, almond milk and soy milk
  • Soups, stews, chili and broths
  • Home-grown garden produce: We gladly accept non-damaged, non-wormy, non-ground fall, normal-sized (not overly large) fruits and vegetables. Please wash your hands and follow safety best practices while harvesting. Use sanitized and clean containers for both harvesting and delivery; bagged produce is always best.

Because food safety is of the utmost importance, we cannot accept donations of perishable foods from private individuals that require refrigeration or freezing, including turkeys and hams. We do, however, partner with grocers, retail stores and food businesses that provide these items, which are held at a safe temperature until we’re able to pick them up with our refrigerated trucks.

These organizations below may be able to accept individual perishable food donations; please call ahead.

St. Vincent de Paul Service Station
450 OR-99, Eugene, OR 97402
541-461-8688

The Eugene Mission
1542 W 1st Ave., Eugene, OR 97402
541-344-3251

Burrito Brigade and Waste to Taste
1775 W 6th Ave., Eugene, OR 97402
info@burritobrigade.org
541-632-3239

Non-Perishable Food Donations:
Food for Lane County
770 Bailey Hill Road
Eugene, OR 97402
Hours: M-F 9:00am–4:00pm
If you are donating a lot of food, please call ahead: 541-343-2822

Home-Grown Produce Donations:
Food for Lane County Warehouse
2345 West Broadway
Eugene, OR 97402
Hours: M-Th, 8:30am–3:30pm
Upon arriving at our West Broadway warehouse, please go through the doors labeled “Partner Agency Entrance” and ring doorbell for assistance. A staff member will take your donation and give you a receipt if you’d like one.

Focusing on the building blocks of good health, we facilitate donations of a wide variety of foods from partners across the food system, including farmers, ranchers, manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors. If you’re a representative of the food industry and you have food to donate, please contact us at 541-343-2822, ext. 122.

We accept both retail-sized products and industrial-sized packaged products (super sacks, totes, etc.). We can accept donations of many sizes, from pallets to truckloads. If we aren’t able to accept your full offer, we work with our statewide network of food banks and can help facilitate a donation to multiple food banks.

Food industry donations are eligible for a federal enhanced deduction and some products qualify for Oregon’s Crop Donation Tax Credit. In many cases, the tax deductions received from donating surplus products are greater than the tax shield that is earned from liquidating or disposing of the goods. All donors will receive a receipt at the time of donation.

Commonly donated items from industry partners:

  • Bulk products
  • Canned, shelf-stable, dried and dehydrated foods
  • Code-dated, mislabeled and out-of-specification products
  • Discontinued or surplus products
  • Fresh, refrigerated and frozen products if the cold chain has been maintained
  • Fruits, vegetables, grains, protein and dairy
  • Produce and gleaned farm crops
  • Non-food household grocery items, including personal care products and paper products
  • Post-retail packaged food items
  • Products with damaged packaging if the product is intact
  • Pet food: Purina Dog Chow Complete Adult (Dry), Purina Seafood Sensations (Dry), Purina Friskies Cat Food (Wet)

Industry partners can also support our work by donating:

  • Funds: Corporate donations, sponsorship, employee giving and matching
  • Time: Bring your employees to volunteer or organize an office food and fund drive
  • Packaging: Boxes, bags, poly film, jugs, bottles, totes, barrels and more
  • Trucking: Back-haul and less than load (LTL) opportunities
  • Processing: Add value to bulk donated product by donating or discounting excess capacity

What about recalled items that have been donated?

As part of our food safety management, we have a food recall program in place. In the event a food manufacturer must issue a recall for donated products, we will work with the manufacturer to issue the required notifications and dispose of products in accordance with regulations.

Note: Companies that donate healthy, sound food to nonprofit organizations are protected from criminal and civil liability under the Good Samaritan Act.

Food drives provide essential variety to our food supply and help raise community awareness. Not only does it feel good to help our neighbors, but it also brings people together in support of a common cause — creating a sense of unity, teamwork and compassion within your organization or among your community. By promoting your food drive, you can boost participation, raise awareness and make a bigger impact!

Download our Food & Fund Drive Toolkit and consider these tips:

  • Use social media to promote your drive
  • Send emails to your contacts
  • Create flyers or posters
  • Do a food drive competition
  • Partner with local businesses
  • Get schools or other organizations involved
  • Have a kickoff event and invite local media

If you’re interested in holding a food drive, you can borrow food barrels from our main location on Bailey Hill Road. Please make sure you have a plan to return both the barrels and the collected food after your drive. If transporting food is difficult, consider holding a fund drive instead. For more information, contact us.

Barrel Pick-Up/Drop-Off Location:
Food for Lane County
770 Bailey Hill Road
Eugene, OR 97402
Hours: M–F, 9:00am–4:00pm

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