Making Food Donations
Have surplus produce or food items you’re interested in donating to the Food Bank? We’re proud to work with retail donors, as well as hunters, farmers, and gardeners to avoid food waste and provide nutritious food to people in need throughout the Southern Tier.
Keep reading to learn more about the food donations we accept, how to make a donation, and any applicable programs or restrictions.
Retail Donors
Have surplus produce or food items you’re interested in donating to the Food Bank? We’re proud to work with retail donors, as well as hunters, farmers, and gardeners to avoid food waste and provide nutritious food to people in need throughout the Southern Tier.
Keep reading to learn more about the food donations we accept, how to make a donation, and any applicable programs or restrictions.
Farmers
We accept all fresh produce! Depending on the size of load and your location, we may arrange a pick up, a delivery, or connect you with a local food pantry partner in your community. We’re always happy to work with farmers who find themselves with surplus or unmarketable produce.
If you’re a farmer interested in partnering with the Food Bank, please reach out to Caroline Tolbert, Food Sourcing Manager at 607.796.6061 with any additional questions.
Hunters
You can donate your deer to the Food Bank through the New York State Venison Donation Program.
Take your legally tagged and properly field-dressed deer to any participating processor identified by the Venison Donation Coalition for processing and packaging at no cost to you. The venison is then picked up by the Food Bank for distribution to families right here in our community.
Gardeners
We accept all fresh produce, including surplus produce from home gardens. We will use your donated produce to serve clients visiting our Mobile Food Pantry distributions and our Kids’ Farmers Markets.
You can drop off extra produce from your home garden at our Elmira, NY warehouse during normal business hours or call the Food Bank to arrange a drop-off at one of our local partner agencies. If you have 1,000+ lbs., we will arrange a pick-up.
Food Drives
As a wholesale buyer with access to surplus food and reduced prices, the Food Bank’s purchasing power is greater than that of consumers. If you’re interested in hosting a food drive, we encourage you to organize one with your local food pantry!
