Become a
Food Rescue Partner
Welcome to our Food Rescue Program! We greatly appreciate your interest in becoming a Food Rescue Partner. Our program relies on donations from partners like you to help reduce food waste and provide fresh, delicious food to families facing food insecurity. Together, we can make a positive impact on our and the environment.
Join us in feeding our hungry communities. Always receive tax receipts for donations, zero liability (Good Samaritan Act), and workable solutions toward meeting AB1826 requirements. Food recovery is key to eliminating hunger; we pick up from your locations or you can drop donations off at our warehouse.
San Diego Food Rescue Services
Join the movement to reduce food waste and feed local communities in San Diego. At Porchlight Community Services, Inc., we make it simple to donate surplus food, whether it's from your business, event, or home. Our food rescue services are designed to help reduce food waste, provide nutritious meals to local families, and support a sustainable future.
How SB1383 Affects Businesses in California
California's SB1383 law, which took effect in January 2022, requires businesses and institutions to generate large amounts of organic waste to divert edible food from landfills. The law aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address food insecurity. This means:
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Large Food Generators (businesses like restaurants, grocery stores, hotels, schools, and more) are required to donate surplus food instead of throwing it away.
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Food Recovery Programs like ours can help businesses comply by collecting and redistributing edible food to local charities and community organizations.
By partnering with us, you'll ensure your business is SB1383 compliant, helping the environment, reducing food waste, and giving back to the community.
How to Donate
All donors must follow food safety rules to help ensure their food is safe. Food Rescue organizations have limitations on the types and food sources they can accept. Use this handy guide to donate food to save money, reduce waste, help your community, and receive tax savings safely.
Review and Identify Foods You Can Donate:
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As a licensed food establishment, you can donate food that has not been served, including raw, processed, or prepared food, ice, beverages, or ingredients used or intended for use, in whole or in part.
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The condition for donation is that the item is wholesome and suitable for human consumption.
Prepare and Package Foods Safely:
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Donated foods must meet the required temperature standards and adhere to all food and health code requirements.
Labeling Requirements:
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Commercial Food Labels:
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Must include the name of the item or food, manufacturer information, a list of ingredients, and a use-by date (if applicable).
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Must contain the statement: “Donated Food - Not for Resale.”
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Prepared Food Labels:
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Must include the name of the food, the food donor, the address where the food was prepared, and the preparation date.
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If appropriate, label the food's common name, any allergens listed on the package, and the name of the original processor.
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Track Donated Items:
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Use donation tracking software or maintain records on paper to track your donations.
As our mission to eliminate food waste and receiving help from the community. We are able to provide this Food Rescue Program to reach businesses who don't have time or access to donate items directly to our location. Using our resources we are able to pick up donated food items, bring it back to our warehouse and give it a second home to feed individuals / families.
We have three programs to help recover food:
What is the Food Rescue Program?
Host a Food Drive
Host a Food Drive! Your efforts will help people experiencing hunger in San Diego.
Drop Off
Do you have food items or non-food items that are ready to be donated? You have the option to stop by our location to drop it off! No appointment needed. Come by during our business hours.
Steps to donating:
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Select a Membership: Choose the "Drop Off" membership (free) below.
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Prepare Your Donation: Collect food or non-food items ready for donation.
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Visit Us: Drop off your donation at our location during business hours
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Pick Up
Do you have food items that are ready to be donated? We offer a program to pick up donated goods from your home or business. We have two plans to choose between One-Time and Monthly.
Steps to donating:
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Select a Membership:
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Pay-As-You-Go: $60 per pickup (additional surcharges may apply).
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Subscription: $100/month for 2 pickup (additional pickups $50 each).
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Fill Out the Pickup Form: Provide details about the items and pickup location.
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Wait for Confirmation: We’ll review your request and confirm any applicable surcharges.
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Schedule & Pay: Once confirmed, complete payment and schedule your pickup.
Drop-Off Donor
0$Perfect for donors who want to drop off surplus food at our location without any fees. No paperwork is required unless you’d like a tax receipt.Бесплатный планPay-As-You-Go Donor
0$Flexible and convenient! Pay per pickup as needed, starting at $60. Great for businesses with occasional food donations.Бесплатный планSubscription Donor
10$ЕжемесячноDonate food regularly with ease. Our subscription plan offers discounted pickups starting at $50 per pickup
Be Part of the Food Waste Solution!
According to REFED, "In the U.S., a staggering 35% of all food goes unsold or uneaten – almost 90 billion meals’ worth of food annually. It's valued at $418 billion, roughly 2% of U.S. GDP, and it has the same climate footprint as the entire U.S. aviation industry (passenger, commercial, and military). "
We throw away an estimated 500,000 tons of food waste each year in San Diego County. All that food generates over 270,000 metric tons of greenhouse gases. The Environmental Protection Agency developed a Food Waste Recovery Hierarchy (modified version below) which lists feeding hungry people as one of the top strategies to prevent and reduce wasted food. By donating edible food from your business, you can be part of the food waste solution and help reduce hunger in your community!
Why Donate?
Help our neighbors! 1 in 3 people in San Diego County experiences food insecurity
Reduce waste and the disposal of edible food
Reduce greenhouse gas and water quality impacts
The Good Samaritan Food Donation Act
The Good Samaritan Food Donation Act,” offers responsible food donors protection from criminal and civil liability if the donated food is “apparently wholesome.” This means the donor knows the food has been handled with correct food safety standards. The act does not release donors or hunger relief agencies from the duty of acting responsibly. Operate with judgment and diligence to make sure donated food is safe and wholesome.