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Large-Scale Donations from Food Companies

Food companies and businesses – including manufacturers, distributors, growers, packers, freight, logistics, storage and more – can donate a pallet or more of food and select essential products.

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Donations from Food Companies and Businesses

Make a Food or Product Donation From Your Company

Companies of all types and sizes make an impact in our community by donating their products to the Food Depository. Some companies create food specifically for donation while other opportunities to give result from the availability of excess food.

Interested in making a donation? Fill out an offer form to donate food.

DONATE FOOD

FAQS

How to Donate Food from a Company and Other FAQs

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Items may be donated due to surplus production, discontinuation, imperfect or underweight packaging and approaching expiration dates. Accepted donation items will help feed neighbors across Chicago and Cook County.

We prioritize palletized, nutritious, retail-packaged foods (labeled with ingredients and allergens) that are lower in saturated fat, sodium and added sugar.

  • Fruits and vegetables: Fresh, canned, frozen, and dried fruits and vegetables, apple sauce, tomato sauce, 100% juice, agricultural produce/farm-fresh crops
  • Grains: Whole grain cereal, bread, rice, pasta, grains, tortillas
  • Protein: Animal (fish, beef, pork, poultry, sausage, deli meats, hot dogs, eggs) and plant proteins (nuts, seeds, veggie burgers, soy, beans, peanut butter)
  • Dairy: Milk, cheese, yogurt
  • Non-dairy alternatives: All plant-based milks, yogurts and cheeses
  • Beverages: Water, coffee, tea
  • Mixed dishes: Frozen meals, soups, stews, macaroni and cheeses
  • Condiments and cooking staples: Spices, oil, butter, plant-based spreads, flour, salad dressing, jarred sauces, seasoning, salt, sugar
  • Processed and packaged snacks: Whole grain pretzels, crackers, popcorn, healthy snacks

Note: Limited capacity to accept bulk/foodservice packaged goods. Approval is on a case-by-case basis.

  • Personal care items: Toothpaste, toothbrushes, feminine hygiene and adult incontinence products, diapers, soap/body wash, shampoo
  • Household supplies: Laundry detergent, dish soap, paper products (toilet paper, paper towels), cleaning supplies

  • Items that have been opened, partially used, contaminated and/or damaged
  • Prepared or homemade food
  • Products not in their original packaging or unlabeled foods missing ingredient information
  • Food high in saturated fats, sodium, and/or sugars (desserts, candy, junk foods, alcohol, mixers, energy drinks, soda, non-100% juice)
  • Pharmaceuticals, vitamins, and/or cannabis/CBD/THC products
  • Display cases, glassware, furniture

Additionally, the Food Depository is not able to accept the following non-food items, though you may contact your local food pantry to ask if they are currently accepting these items:

  • Pet food, clothing, toys, kitchen supplies, furniture, appliances

We work to promote healthy food choices by leveraging the SWAP (Supporting Wellness at Pantries) tools and resources to implement the Healthy Eating Research (HER) Nutritional Guidelines. We prioritize sourcing and supplying nutritious foods and increasing access to green ‘Choose Often’ and yellow ‘Choose Sometimes’ products from the SWAP nutritional guide.

You can fill out our food industry donation form to submit a donation offer. After you submit the form, our team will contact you with questions and next steps.

Any amount of food can help our neighbors.  For lower volume donations, we recommend that you connect with and deliver directly to our agency partners within our network such as food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters. You can use our map to find contact information for a partner near you.

Corn donation

DONOR SPOTLIGHT

Agri Heritage Foundation

For many years, the Agri Heritage Foundation’s Sweet Corn for Charity program has helped to partner generous local farmers and their families to contribute their time, work and resources to deliver sweet corn, fresh from the farm, to local food banks including the Food Depository.

In August 2023, Bonucci Farms donated 16,900 pounds of corn and Rapp Farms donated more than 3,600 pounds to the Food Depository!

Calling All Storage and Transportation Vendors

The Food Depository is seeking information on third-party storage and transportation vendors to help us safely distribute food throughout our community.

Bigger Table Chili MIx

DONOR SPOTLIGHT

Bigger Table

Bigger Table is a nonprofit partner organization helping to bring together the food and beverage industry to address hunger, unemployment and inclusive economic development in Chicagoland.

Bigger Table has helped to aggregate various ingredients to create and donate delicious top needed products. A few examples of their innovative creations tailored for our community include a plant-based chili mix, protein bars and a healthier cheese sauce for a family mac and cheese pack.

Donate to Feed Your Community

As a business, you can help provide food and essential products to individuals and households across our community. Make a difference with your donation today.