Did you know that reducing food waste is one of the leading solutions to climate change? Go to StopFoodWaste.org for Food Saving Tips and Tricks.
As of January 1, 2022, a new California law states businesses who currently throw away edible food must now recover and donate it. Click here for rules, resources, and lists in Alameda County, and here for Contra Costa County.
| Vendor | Address | City | Destination | Disposal Method | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food Cowboy app | 4938 Hampden Lane | Bethesda | Reuse | Free Drop-off | Food Cowboy uses mobile technology to safely route surplus food from wholesalers and restaurants instead of landfills. | |
| Chow Match App | PO Box 460612 | San Francisco | Reuse | Free Mail-in | 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. Operating in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties. | |
| La Familia Counseling Service (Hayward Family Resource Center) |
680 W Tennyson Road Wing B |
Hayward | Reuse | Free Drop-off | ||
| Bananas |
5232 Claremont Ave Parking lot in rear |
Oakland | Reuse | Free Drop-off | Non expired baby formula & food and coupons. | |
| Ecumenical Hunger Program | 2411 Pulgas Ave | East Palo Alto | Reuse | Free Drop-off | Call for pick up. Non-perishable food and frozen meat.,Currently accepting donations of only food, toiletry, household cleaning and gift card and new/packaged items due to the COVID-19 crisis. | |
| Alameda Backyard Growers | 2501 Shoreline Dr | Alameda | Reuse | Free Pick-up | Project Pick. Donate the excess fruit on your backyard trees. Volunteers will leave you fruit from their pick. Has gleaning program using trained volunteers to pick backyard fruit in the City of Alameda and donate it to the City of Alameda Food Bank. Volunteer your fruit trees to be picked and/or volunteer to pick fruit. | |
| Homies Empowerment | 7631 MacArthur Blvd | Oakland | Reuse | 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 | |
| Facebook Buy Nothing Groups | 1 Hacker Way | Menlo Park | Reuse | Free Pick-up | List Perishable and non-perishable food from your household that neighbors may want and be able to use. | |
| Food Shift | 677 W Ranger Ave | Alameda | Reuse | Free Drop-off | Types of Food Accepted: Fresh produce; Shelf-stable/Non-perishable foods. This Food Recovery Organization is willing to collect from food donors in: Oakland; Outside Alameda County | |
| Food Distribution Center (Hope for the Heart) | 22035 Meekland Ave | Hayward | Reuse | Free Drop-off | ||
| Brighter Beginnings (Oakland Gateway Center) | 2648 International Boulevard | Oakland | Reuse | Free Drop-off | Non expired baby formula & food and coupons. | |
| Alameda Food Bank (City of Alameda) | 650 W Ranger Ave | Alameda | Reuse | 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 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. | |
| ForestR | 20298 Marshall St | Castro Valley | Reuse | Free Pick-up | Donate your backyard fruit and produce by having volunteers to come pick it (glean), leave you some, and donate it to Community Cupboard in CV and The Dig Deep Farm's Food Hub (The Farmacy) in San Leandro. | |
| Hope 4 the Heart | 22035 Meekland Ave | Hayward | Reuse | 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 | |
| La Clinica Alta Vista | 1515 Fruitvale Ave | Oakland | Reuse | Free Drop-off | Coupons for and samples of or new formula. Ask about nutritional supplements for pregnancy or new mothers. | |
| EPA Region 9 Pacific Southwest | 75 Hawthorne Street | San Francisco | Reuse | Free Mail-in | Information List. Bay Area organizations that transport and accept food donations to feed hungry people, animals, and make compost and/or biogas. www.epa.gov/sustainable-management-food/links-and-resources-about-food-recovery-san-francisco-bay-area | |
| Cityteam Ministries (Family Services) | 722 Washington Street | Oakland | Reuse | Free Drop-off | ||
| New Beginning International Ministry | 5609 Foothill Blvd | Oakland | Reuse | Free Drop-off | ||
| Brighter Beginnings (Oakland Artthaus Center) |
2744 E. 11th Street Suite H01 |
Oakland | Reuse | Free Drop-off | Non expired baby formula & food and coupons. | |
| Daily Bread Project | 6757 Armour Dr. | Oakland | Reuse | Free Drop-off, Free Pick-up | Small quantities when possible. Pick-up and delivery provided by volunteers. |
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