For restaurants & grocers
Your surplus food is protected — and it can feed your neighbors.
Restaurants and grocery stores throw away tons of perfectly good food every year. Donate it instead. It's safe, it's protected by federal and New York law, and we make it effortless.
You're protected by law
The single biggest worry is liability. Here's the reassurance.
The federal Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act — first signed in 1996 and strengthened by the Food Donation Improvement Act in 2023 — protects businesses and individuals who donate food in good faith, and the nonprofits that receive and distribute it, from civil and criminal liability if donated food later causes harm — as long as the food was apparently wholesome when you gave it. That protection is removed only in cases of gross negligence or intentional misconduct.
On top of that, New York's own Good Samaritan law adds a further layer of protection for good-faith food donors in the state.
In short: when you donate food to us in good faith, the law is on your side.
This is general information, not legal advice. We're glad to walk your team or your counsel through it.
What you can donate
Donate anything and everything.
We'll take whatever you've got that's good to eat: prepared and packaged meals, produce, dairy, bakery items, frozen goods, canned and shelf-stable products, beverages — the surplus from a slow night, an over-order, a seasonal changeover, a closing shift at the end of the day. If it's safe and wholesome, it can feed someone.
How partnering works
Four steps. We do most of the work.
1. Set aside your surplus.
Box up what you're not going to sell.
2. Request a pickup.
Any donation of 10 meals' worth of food or more qualifies. Tell us when, and we'll schedule it — as often as you need.
3. We transport it safely.
Our food-safety-certified volunteers collect it in our own temperature-controlled coolers.
4. It reaches your neighbors.
We deliver to established local food pantries and distribution sites.
Safe handling, taken seriously
The tax benefit
Donating food may also be good for your bottom line. Basic Needs Providers Incorporated is a New York nonprofit corporation, and our federal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status is currently pending with the IRS. When that status is approved, it generally applies retroactively to our founding — which means contributions made now may become tax-deductible retroactively once approval is granted. We keep clear records of every donation and will provide tax documentation upon IRS approval.
Please consult your tax advisor about your specific situation and any available deductions for donated inventory.
What we ask of partners
Four simple commitments.
Donate only food that is safe and wholesome to the best of your knowledge.
Keep food at safe temperatures until pickup.
Give us a heads-up for a pickup once you've got at least 10 meals' worth ready.
Let us know about anything we should be aware of (allergens, ingredients, prep dates).
Partner FAQ
Common questions.
- Is it really legal to donate prepared food?
- Yes. Federal and New York Good Samaritan laws specifically protect good-faith food donations, including prepared food.
- What if someone gets sick from food I donated?
- Donations made in good faith are protected from liability under the Good Samaritan Food Donation Act; the protection is removed only for gross negligence or intentional misconduct.
- Is there a minimum?
- Yes — 10 meals' worth of food per pickup.
- How often can you pick up?
- As often as you need, based on your surplus. We schedule around you.
- Does it cost me anything?
- No. There's no charge to donate, and we handle transport.
- Do I need to sort or package it a certain way?
- Just keep it safe and reasonably contained. We'll cover the rest during onboarding.
- Can I get a tax receipt?
- We provide records now and full tax documentation once our 501(c)(3) is approved (see above).
Ready to turn surplus into support?
We'll respond within 1–2 business days to confirm your first pickup.
Become a Partner