Surplus Food Donations
A big part of the mission at Fertile Earth is to divert food from landfills and to send it to “highest and best use.”
“Highest and Best Use” basically means that someone or something is going to eat it. If the food is good, we find a way to get it to our friends, families, neighbors, and charities. If the food is damaged or spoiling but still safe, we feed animals at farms. And lastly, if the food is beyond viability, then we feed our beloved worms and microbes and create organic compost with it all.
Why Do We Often Have Food to Give Away?
Sometimes we get a delivery of viable, usable food that is about to spoil or that needs to be discarded. The reasons are many: broken trucks, malfunctioning refrigeration, cosmetic flaws, and more.
In our society, this is a common occurrence, and also very hard to witness. So Fertile Earth created our Food Re-Distribution Program.
Sending Food to Its Highest and Best Use
Let us know if you would like to receive an alert when there is free food available for pick up. We welcome all individuals to register, as well as food-distribution groups, charities, and farms. Our only interest is that all the food that is given to us finds someone to eat it whenever possible.
1. People First
If the food is good, we find a way to get it to our friends, families, neighbors, and local charities. We will de-pack it and make a public announcement.
2. Animals Next
If the food is damaged or spoiling but still safe, we feed animals at partner farms. Chickens, pigs, and other animals get a nutritious meal instead of that food ending up in a dumpster. Farmers are welcome to pick up as much still-packaged food as they can carry, or ask us about our nominal delivery fees for food that is ready-to-eat.
3. Finally, the Soil
When food is beyond viability for people or animals, it still has a vital role. We feed our beloved worms and microbes and transform that “waste” into rich organic compost that goes back into gardens and farms.
Get Alerts When Free Food Is Available
Share your contact information below to receive alerts when surplus food becomes available through our Food Re-Distribution Program.