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Do allergens need to be handled in a specific way?

Foods containing common food allergens can be donated, following standard procedures. We recommend including an allergen list on food products, but it is not required in order to be donated.

Nonprofits distributing food without allergen lists are responsible for disclosing that the food may contain allergens, or have been prepared, stored, or transported near foods containing allergens. Nonprofits should recommend not consuming the food if an individual has allergens.

What if the product is past its sell-by or expiration date?

Expiration and sell-by labels indicate when an item is past peak quality. This has little impact on the safety of consuming that item.* If a product has no visible decay, and is still wholesome and fit for consumption, then it is perfectly fine to donate.

*Baby food/formula are the only products that can not be donated past the sell-by date.

Testimonial – St. Vincent’s Santa Barbara

Thanks to the SBC Food Rescue Program, we are able to serve approximately 50-60 meals a day to homeless individuals who would otherwise not have anything at all to eat. This program is literally keeping our clients and program afloat and we are so grateful.

Jacob Andrade, Vice President, Human Resources and Support Services
St. Vincent’s Santa Barbara

Testimonial – Sarah House

It is hard to find the right words to describe this wonderful thing you are doing, not just for Sarah House, but for so many others that are receiving a meal. I am certain that the giver is just as fulfilled as the receiver, if not perhaps even more. You have found a way to protect those that have always wanted to give, but were concerned with finding themselves in a problem for just doing something good – feeding someone. Thank you for this great service. You are planting some amazing seeds, and touching many more people than you perhaps ever thought you would.

Paloma Espino, Manager
Sarah House

Testimonial – New House II

Hi Julia, I wanted to personally say thank you for introducing me to this food rescue program. About a year ago I received any email from a person concerned about utilizing food better. I thought I would be a good resident/business manager of Santa Barbara and show up to this meeting to help save our food scraps for compost. I was really surprised to see so many large players in Santa Barbara show up to support the food rescue program. I learned soon after how much more goes into saving food, from the store, to a local non-profit, then to compost. Julia has introduced Santa Barbara New House to local businesses looking to donate food helping us in my journey to provide a safe, affordable, nutritious environment for our clients.

Scott E. Huenemeier, House Manager
New House II

What can I do with inedible food scraps?

Contact your local solid waste representative about food scraps collection.

LOCATION CONTACT INFO WASTE HAULER
City of Buellton Rose Hess
roseh@cityofbuellton.com
(805) 688-5177
https://www.cityofbuellton.com/departments/public-works.php
MarBorg Industries
Sarah Stark
sstark@marborg.com
https://www.marborg.com/links/1921-collection-commercial/resources/7013-commercial-collection
City of Carpinteria Erin Maker
erinm@ci.carpinteria.ca.us
(805) 880-3415
https://carpinteria.ca.us/public-works/
EJ Harrison & Sons
http://www.ejharrison.com/services/commercial.html
City of Goleta Michael Winnewisser
mwinnewisser@cityofgoleta.org
(805) 690-5120
https://www.cityofgoleta.org/city-hall/public-works/solid-waste-and-environmental-services-program
MarBorg Industries
Sarah Stark
sstark@marborg.com
https://www.marborg.com/links/1921-collection-commercial/resources/7013-commercial-collection
City of Lompoc Adam Spaulding
a_spaulding@ci.lompoc.ca.us
(805) 875-8027
https://www.cityoflompoc.com/government/departments/utilities/solid-waste
City of Lompoc
City of Santa Barbara Dan Rowell
ddrowell@santabarbaraca.gov
(805) 564-5691
https://www.sbrecycles.org
MarBorg Industries
Sarah Stark
sstark@marborg.com
https://www.marborg.com/links/1921-collection-commercial/resources/7013-commercial-collection
City of Santa Maria Herb Cantu
hcantu@cityofsantamaria.org
(805) 925-0951 ext. 7212
https://www.cityofsantamaria.org/city-government/departments/utilities-sewer-water-trash/solid-waste-services/commercial-organics-recycling
City of Santa Maria
City of Solvang Bridget Elliott
bridgete@cityofsolvang.com
(805) 688-5575
https://www.cityofsolvang.com/186/Solid-Waste-Collection
Waste Management
https://www.wm.com/us/en/services/recycling-and-sustainability/food-and-organic-recycling
County of Santa Barbara Kaitlyn Haberlin
khaberlin@cosbpw.net
(805) 882-3603
http://lessismore.org
South County – MarBorg Industries
Sarah Stark
sstark@marborg.com
https://www.marborg.com/links/1921-collection-commercial/resources/7013-commercial-collection
North County – Waste Management
https://www.wm.com/us/en/services/recycling-and-sustainability/food-and-organic-recycling

What are AB 1826 and SB 1383 and how do they affect donors?

Beginning January 1, 2019, AB 1826 requires businesses that generate four+ cubic yards of solid waste per week to establish an organic waste recycling program. SB 1383 establishes guidelines for organic waste reduction and edible food recovery targets for businesses. Donation of surplus food is one way to comply with AB 1826 and SB 1383. Read more about these laws and how they affect donors here.

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