DONATE FOOD
Share the surplus food from your farm, store, manufacturing facility or commercial kitchen with the region’s largest food bank.
We Accept Commercial Food Donations
Reduce Waste and Help Hungry Families
As the region’s largest food bank and a leader in the emergency food chain, Second Harvest Heartland relies on donations of excess food from commercial growers, retailers and industry partners.
Your generosity helps us support local food shelves and fill the fridges of hungry households across Minnesota and western Wisconsin.
Our Brooklyn Park, Minnesota facility offers state-of-the-art inventory and distribution capabilities to handle all types of food safely and efficiently. We’re equipped for one-time and recurring donations of shelf-stable foods, perishable items, frozen items, and locally grown produce. We have 15 commercial dock doors to get you in and out in a timely fashion, and we're even able to pick up your product if needed, including excess prepared foods through our MealConnect app.
Our food bank can accept wholesale donations of:
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Meats and proteins
- Dairy products
- Baked goods
- Shelf-stable commodities
- Prepared foods
- Frozen products
- Pet food
- Non-food items, like paper products, cleaning supplies and personal care items
Looking to donate kicked loads or mis-shipped product? We're your go-to location! Our receiving hours are Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Please ship to:
Receiving Team at Second Harvest Heartland
7101 Winnetka Ave N
Brooklyn Park, MN 55428
Please have the driver check in at door 19. If you have any questions or issues, please contact our team at 651-209-7960 or receiving@2harvest.org.
Find a Food Shelf to Donate Food
Unfortunately, because of our food bank’s size and scale, we cannot accept food donations from individuals or small groups at this time. (Our operations are set up to handle pallets and volume quantities of items.)
Instead, find and contact a local food shelf or a hunger relief organization near you and work with them to donate food in your community.
Want to help us end hunger in the heartland? Individuals can support our mission by:
- Donating money in any amount—a $1 contribution can provide three meals.
- Volunteering for a food packing shift at our Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, facility.
More than 64%
of the food we distributed last year was fresh
Ways to Donate Food
Donate Surplus Commercial Food
Needed items: Obsolete or surplus commercial food, in pallet or truckload quantities.
Food manufacturers and distribution centers can donate products that may be mislabeled or have a short shelf life remaining, such as frozen meats, cereal or baked goods.
Contact:
Karissa Scheffler
Sourcing Manager
651-505-7158
kscheffler@2harvest.org
Donate Perishable Food Items
Needed items: Unsold but edible produce, dairy, meat, bakery and shelf-stable items.
Grocery stores, convenience stores and other retailers can donate sizable quantities of unsold but nutritious food. Last year our Food Rescue program partnered with 675 retail partners and saved more than 45 million pounds of food from going to waste.
Contact:
Jean Jagodzinski
Food Rescue Programs Manager
612-910-2141
jjagodzinski@2harvest.org
Donate Locally Grown Produce
Needed items: Surplus and less-than-perfect vegetables and fruit
Farmers, commercial growers and food processors are essential to our mission. Through our agricultural partnerships and Farm to Food Shelf grants, we source excess produce and slightly imperfect foods that are locally grown, but would otherwise go unharvested or be discarded.
Your farm may even qualify for funding from the State of Minnesota to offset your cost to harvest and package donated fruits and vegetables.
Contact:
Heidi Coe
Produce Sourcing Manager
651-282-0855
hcoe@2harvest.org
Donate Prepared Meals Immediately
Needed items: Excess food and meals from commercial kitchens
Instead of discarding unused food at the end of each day, commercial kitchens, restaurants, caterers and special event centers can donate surplus food and prepared meals. Our innovative MealConnect app works in real time to link commercial kitchens with local food shelves and community groups who can safely pick up and distribute unused food.
YOU’RE PROTECTED
Donate Food Worry-Free
When you donate excess food in good faith, you’re protected from civil and criminal liability by the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Donation Act. Every non-profit partner who receives your donation maintains a certified food manager to ensure safe handling.
FOOD INDUSTRY DONORS
Meet Our Generous
Bushel Boy. D’Amico Catering. Kowalski’s Market. These are just a small portion of our many commercial food donors and food rescue partners who helped us deliver more than 120 million pounds of food each year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our food bank accepts wholesale donations of excess produce, perishable, frozen, dry or bulk products that are:
- Unlabeled or mislabeled
- Rejected but still safe for human consumption or use
- Discontinued items
- Off-spec items
- Damaged items (some restrictions apply)
- Close-dated items
- Various past “best if used by” dated products
No. We work only with large-volume suppliers who can provide food items in bulk. Individuals can contact your local food shelf or a hunger relief organization near you and work with them to donate food in your community.
When you donate to end hunger, Second Harvest Heartland combines your dollars with donated, rescued and wholesale-purchased food from grocery stores, farmers, restaurants, retailers and other partners. This multiplies your gift to make the biggest impact. Your financial donation makes it possible for our robust team of volunteers, warehouse workers and truck drivers to sort, re-package and distribute over 167 million pounds of food to over 1000 partner programs each year, who put it directly in the hands of families in need.
Learn more about how to make a financial contribution.