Guide for Reuse, Repair, Recycling, and Safe Disposal
for Alameda County, Contra Costa County, and the City of Palo Alto
SEARCH

Food Recovery Organizations and Services

Food Recovery and Donation in California

A new California State law, SB 1383, aims to keep food and other compostable materials ("organics") out of landfills to reduce emissions that contribute to climate change. Under the law:

  • Edible food currently composted or landfilled must be recovered and donated for people to eat,
  • The remaining organics must be collected for composting

Food recovery & donation information: additional rules for large food-generating businesses, institutions, and public schools

By the dates listed below, these entities must:

  • Recover the maximum amount possible of surplus edible food generated
  • Partner with one or more food recovery organizations or services to pick up or receive your surplus edible food
  • Have a written contract or agreement with the food recovery organization(s) or service(s)
  • Track and maintain records of food recovered each month including type, frequency of collection and amounts in pounds

TYPE OF ENTITY
DEADLINE FOR COMPLIANCE

Large supermarkets, grocery stores, food service providers, food distributors, and wholesale food vendors (Tier 1)

January 1, 2022

Large health facilities, hotels, venues, event spaces, restaurants, state agency facilities, & schools with an on-site food facility (Tier 2)

January 1, 2024

Resoures for Food Recovery in California.

Resources in Alameda County for setting up a surplus edible food recovery program:

(Click here for resources in Contra Costa County and Palo Alto.)

Food Recovery Organizations & Services Directory for Alameda County

If you would like to have your organization added to the list, please fill out this form.

Vendor Address City Method Notes
Tri-Valley Haven: Haven Food Pantry 150 N L St Livermore Free Drop-off, Free Pick-up Types of Food Accepted: Fresh produce; Shelf-stable/Non-perishable foods; Fresh/ Frozen grocery requiring refrigeration or freezing; Baked goods; Meat; Milk & dairy; Bulk foods. Cold prepared foods This Food Recovery Organization is willing to collect from food donors in: Dublin, Livermore, Oakland, Pleasanton
Tri-City Volunteers (TCV) Food Bank & Mobile Pantry 37350 Joseph St. Fremont Free Drop-off, Free Pick-up Types of Food Accepted: Fresh Produce and packed food (must be unopened, undamaged, and unexpired). Shelf-stable/non-perishable foods, Fresh/Frozen grocery requiring refridgeration or freezing, Baked goods, Bulk foods. This Food Recovery Organization is willing to collect from food donors in: Fremont, Newark, Union City
San Lorenzo Family Help Center 20960 Corsair Blvd. Hayward Free Drop-off, Free Pick-up Types of Food Accepted: Fresh produce; Shelf-stable/Non-perishable foods; Fresh/Frozen grocery requiring refrigeration; Baked goods; Meat; Milk & dairy, Cold prepared foods This Food Recovery Organization is willing to collect from food donors in: Alameda, Castro Valley, Dublin, Fremont, Hayward, Newark, Pleasanton, San Leandro, San Lorenzo, Union City
San Leandro Community Food Pantry 14235 Bancroft Ave San Leandro Free Drop-off, Free Pick-up Types of Food Accepted: Fresh produce; Shelf-stable/Non-perishable foods; Fresh/Frozen grocery requiring refrigeration; Baked goods; Meat; Milk & dairy; This Food Recovery Organization is willing to collect from food donors in: San Leandro, San Lorenzo
Replate PO Box 11338 Oakland Free Drop-off, Pick-up for a Fee Types of Food Accepted: Fresh produce; Shelf-stable/Non-perishable foods; Fresh/ Frozen grocery requiring refrigeration or freezing; Baked goods; Meat; Milk & dairy; Cold prepared foods; Hot prepared foods; Bulk foods. This Food Recovery Organization is willing to collect from food donors in: Alameda, Albany, Castro Valley, Berkeley, Dublin, Emeryville, Fremont, Hayward, Livermore, Newark, Oakland, Piedmont, Pleasanton, San Leandro, San Lorenzo, Sunol, Union City, Outside Alameda County
Oakland Communities United for Equity & Justice (Self Help Hunger Program) 4799 Shattuck Ave Oakland Free Drop-off, Free Pick-up Types of Food Accepted: Fresh produce; Shelf-stable/Non-perishable foods; Baked Goods; Meat; Milk & Dairy; Cold prepared foods; Hot prepared foods. This Food Recovery Organization is willing to collect from food donors in these areas: Berkeley, Emeryville, Oakland
New Life Christian Church 1265 B Street Hayward Free Drop-off, Free Pick-up Types of Food Accepted: Fresh produce; Shelf-stable/Non-perishable foods; Fresh/Frozen grocery requiring refrigeration or freezing; Baked Goods; Meat; Milk & Dairy; Cold prepared foods; Hot prepared foods; Bulk foods This Food Recovery Organization is willing to collect from food donors in these areas: Castro Valley; Hayward; San Leandro; San Lorenzo 
Mary Barber Ministries 2701 EC Reems Ct
2B 		Oakland Free Drop-off, Free Pick-up Types of Food Accepted: Fresh produce; Shelf-stable/Non-perishable foods; Fresh/Frozen grocery requiring refrigeration or freezing; Baked Goods; Meat; Milk & Dairy; Cold prepared foods; Hot prepared foods; Bulk foods. This Food Recovery Organization is willing to collect from food donors in: Oakland
Lake Merritt United Methodist Church 1255 First Ave Oakland Free Drop-off, Free Pick-up Types of Food Accepted: Fresh produce; Shelf-stable/Non-perishable foods; Fresh/Frozen grocery requiring refrigeration or freezing; Baked Goods; Meat; Milk & Dairy; Cold prepared foods; Bulk foods. This Food Recovery Organization is willing to collect from food donors in: Alameda; Oakland;
HOPE Collaborative 2000 Franklin St
3rd floor 		Oakland Free Drop-off Types of Food Accepted: Fresh produce; Shelf-stable/Non-perishable foods; Fresh/Frozen grocery requiring refrigeration; Baked goods; Meat; Milk & dairy; Cold prepared foods; Hot prepared foods; Bulk foods. This Food Recovery Organization is willing to collect from food donors in: Oakland
Hope 4 the Heart 22035 Meekland Ave Hayward Free Drop-off, Free Pick-up Types of Food Accepted: Fresh produce; Shelf-stable/Non-perishable foods; Fresh/Frozen grocery requiring refrigeration; Baked goods; Meat; Milk & dairy; Cold prepared foods; Hot prepared foods; Bulk foods. This Food Recovery Organization is willing to collect from food donors in: Fremont, Hayward, Oakland, San Leandro, Union City
Homies Empowerment 7631 MacArthur Blvd Oakland Free Drop-off, Free Pick-up Types of Food Accepted: Fresh produce; Shelf-stable/Non-perishable foods; Bulk foods. This Food Recovery Organization is willing to collect from food donors in these areas: Albany
FoodRecovery.org (formerlyMEANS Database)- Matching Excess & Need Oakland Free Drop-off, Free Pick-up, Free Mail-in Informational Directory. Online database. Accepted Food: Fresh produce; Shelf-stable/Non-perishable foods; Fresh/Frozen grocery requiring refrigeration or freezing; Baked Goods; Meat; Milk & Dairy; Cold prepared foods; Hot prepared foods; Bulk foods This Food Recovery Organization lists food donors in these areas:  Alameda; Albany; Berkeley; Castro Valley; Dublin; Emeryville; Fremont; Hayward; Livermore; Newark; Oakland; Piedmont; Pleasanton; San Leandro; San Lorenzo; Sunol; Union City; Outside Alameda County.
Food of God (FOG) 424 Monte Vista Avenue Oakland Free Drop-off, Free Pick-up Types of Food Accepted: Fresh produce; Shelf-stable/Non-perishable foods; Fresh/ Frozen grocery requiring refrigeration or freezing; Baked goods; Meat; Milk & dairy; Cold prepared foods; Hot prepared foods; Bulk foods. This Food Recovery Organization is willing to collect from food donors in: Berkeley, Oakland, Piedmont
First Presbyterian Church of Hayward (South Hayward Parish) 27287 Patrick Avenue Hayward Free Drop-off, Free Pick-up Types of Food Accepted: Fresh produce; Shelf-stable/Non-perishable foods; Fresh/ Frozen grocery requiring refrigeration or freezing; Baked goods; Meat; Milk & dairy; Bulk foods. This Food Recovery Organization is willing to collect from food donors in: Castro Valley, Fremont, Hayward
Essential Food and Medicine (EFAM) 2311 Magnolia St Oakland Free Drop-off, Free Pick-up Types of Food Accepted: Fresh produce; Shelf-stable/Non-perishable foods; Fresh/Frozen grocery requiring refrigeration or freezing; Baked Goods; Meat; Milk & Dairy; Cold prepared foods; Hot prepared foods; Bulk foods This Food Recovery Organization is willing to collect from food donors in: Alameda; Albany, Berkeley; Emeryville; Oakland; Piedmont
Emeryville Citizens Assistance Program (ECAP) 3610 Bancroft Ave Emeryville Free Drop-off Types of Food Accepted: Fresh produce; Shelf-stable/Non-perishable foods; Fresh/Frozen grocery requiring refrigeration or freezing; Baked Goods; Meat; Milk & Dairy; Cold prepared foods; Hot prepared foods; Bulk foods. This Food Recovery Organization is willing to collect from food donors in:  Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, Emeryville, Hayward, Oakland; Outside Alameda County
Downtown Streets Team 22551 2nd St Hayward Free Drop-off, Free Pick-up Types of Food Accepted: Fresh/Frozen grocery requiring refrigeration or freezing; Baked Goods; Cold prepared foods; Hot prepared foods This Food Recovery Organization is willing to collect from food donors in these areas: Alameda; Fremont; Hayward
Dorothy Day House 1931 Center St Berkeley Free Drop-off Fresh produce, Shelf-stable/Non-perishable foods, Fresh/Frozen grocery requiring refrigeration or freezing, Baked Goods, Meat, Milk & Dairy, Cold prepared foods, Hot prepared foods
Daily Bowl 525 H St Union City Free Drop-off, Free Pick-up Types of Food Accepted: Fresh produce; Shelf-stable/Non-perishable foods; Fresh/ Frozen grocery requiring refrigeration or freezing; Baked goods; Meat; Milk & dairy; Cold prepared foods; Hot prepared foods; Bulk foods. This Food Recovery Organization is willing to collect from food donors in: Berkeley, Fremont, Hayward, Oakland, Pleasanton, Union City, Outside Alameda County
Copia 1968 S. Coast Hwy Laguna Beach Free Drop-off, Pick-up for a Fee Nonprofits (no fee); Businesses (fee for service) Types of Food Accepted: Fresh produce; Shelf-stable/Non-perishable foods; Fresh/Frozen grocery requiring refrigeration or freezing; Baked Goods; Meat; Milk & Dairy; Cold prepared foods; Hot prepared foods; Bulk foods. This Food Recovery Organization is willing to collect from food donors in: Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, Castro Valley, Dublin, Emeryville, Fremont, Hayward, Livermore, Newark, Oakland, Piedmont, Pleasanton, San Leandro, San Lorenzo, Sunol, Union City; Contra Costa County, Outside Alameda County
Common Vision 2620 California St Berkeley Free Pick-up Types of Food Accepted: Fresh produce; Shelf-stable/Non-perishable foods; Fresh/ Frozen grocery requiring refrigeration or freezing; Baked goods; Meat; Milk & dairy; Cold prepared foods. This Food Recovery Organization is willing to collect from food donors in: Berkeley, Emeryville, Oakland
CareIt - Food Donation & Rescue Matching Service Oakland Free Drop-off, Free Pick-up Types of Food Accepted: Fresh produce, Shelf-stable/Non-perishable foods, Fresh/Frozen grocery requiring refrigeration or freezing, Baked Goods, Meat, Milk & Dairy, Cold prepared foods, Hot prepared foods, Bulk foods. (Also, food for animals/animal feed. This Food Recovery Organization is willing to collect from food donors in these areas: Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, Castro Valley, Dublin, Emeryville, Fremont, Hayward, Livermore, Newark, Oakland, Piedmont, Pleasanton, San Leandro, San Lorenzo, Sunol, Union City, Outside Alameda County' Fee to upgrade to corporate account (for multiple pick-up site locations).
Berkeley Food Pantry 1600 Sacramento St Berkeley Free Drop-off, Free Pick-up Types of Food Accepted: Fresh produce; Shelf-stable/Non-perishable foods; Fresh/ Frozen grocery requiring refrigeration or freezing; Baked goods; Meat; Milk & dairy. This Food Recovery Organization is willing to collect from food donors in: Albany, Berkeley, Oakland
Berkeley Food Network 1925 Ninth St Berkeley Free Drop-off, Free Pick-up Types of Food Accepted: Fresh produce; Shelf-stable/Non-perishable foods; Fresh/ Frozen grocery requiring refrigeration or freezing; Meat; Milk & dairy; Bulk foods. This Food Recovery Organization is willing to collect from food donors in: Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, Oakland, Piedmont
Arsola's Distribution Center and Community Services 361 105th Ave Oakland Free Pick-up Types of Food Accepted: Fresh produce; Shelf-stable/Non-perishable foods; Fresh/ Frozen grocery requiring refrigeration or freezing; Baked goods; Meat; Milk & dairy; Cold prepared foods; Hot prepared foods; Bulk foods. This Food Recovery Organization is willing to collect from food donors: Alameda, Hayward, Oakland, Union City
Alameda Food Bank (City of Alameda) 650 W Ranger Ave
Suite D 		Alameda Free Drop-off Types of Food Accepted: Fresh produce; Shelf-stable/Non-perishable foods; Fresh/ Frozen grocery requiring refrigeration or freezing; Baked goods; Meat; Milk & dairy; Cold prepared foods. This Food Recovery Organization is willing to collect from food donors in: Alameda, Oakland, San Leandro Donations from individuals must be unopened, unexpired, non-perishable & not in glass containers. Preferred ongoing items include: cereal, pancake mix, coffee, tea, condiments, spices, soup, ramen, crackers & international foods.
Alameda Food Bank (City of Alameda) 650 W Ranger Ave
Suite D 		Alameda Free Pick-up Types of Food Accepted: Fresh produce; Shelf-stable/Non-perishable foods; Fresh/ Frozen grocery requiring refrigeration or freezing; Baked goods; Meat; Milk & dairy; Cold prepared foods. This Food Recovery Organization is willing to collect from food donors in: Alameda, Oakland, San Leandro
Alameda County Community Food Bank 7900 Edgewater Dr Oakland Free Drop-off Types of Food Accepted: Fresh produce; Shelf-stable/Non-perishable foods; Fresh/Frozen grocery requiring refrigeration or freezing; Baked goods; Meat; Milk & dairy; Cold prepared foods; Bulk foods This Food Recovery Organization is willing to collect from food donors in: Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, Castro Valley,  Dublin,  Emeryville, Fremont,  Hayward, Livermore, Newark, Oakland, Piedmont, Pleasanton, San Leandro, San Lorenzo, Sunol, Union City and areas outside Alameda County
Alameda County Community Food Bank 7900 Edgewater Dr Oakland Free Pick-up Types of Food Accepted: Fresh produce; Shelf-stable/Non-perishable foods; Fresh/Frozen grocery requiring refrigeration or freezing; Baked goods; Meat; Milk & dairy; Cold prepared foods; Bulk foods This Food Recovery Organization is willing to collect from food donors in: Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, Castro Valley,  Dublin,  Emeryville, Fremont,  Hayward, Livermore, Newark, Oakland, Piedmont, Pleasanton, San Leandro, San Lorenzo, Sunol, Union City and areas outside Alameda County

Questions? Comments?   We're here to help!      Get in touch!

Additional Tools

  • Item Search
  • Vendor Search
  • Information for Vendors

Grab the mobile apps for answers on the go:

Download on the App Store
Get it on Google Play
Brought to you by A public agency reducing waste in Alameda County since 1976.