NEW MEXICO FOOD INDUSTRY PARTNERS 

According to the USDA, between 30 and 40 percent of all food in America is wasted every year. That’s food that could have gone to someone who really needed it. To keep food out of landfills and reduce waste, Roadrunner® Food Bank of New Mexico has a Food Rescue program.  The act of “rescuing” food allows us to take usable food items in collaboration with food industry partners and re-distribute it to people struggling with food insecurity.

Charitable Donations by Food Industry Partners

“Don’t dump or plow, DONATE Instead!”

Manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, supermarkets, growers, farmers and other food industry partners provide regular food donations to Roadrunner Food Bank of New Mexico. Without these generous food donations, our food bank would have significantly less food to provide to the hungry people in New Mexico. If it is food you or your family would eat, then it’s food we can use to feed the hungry.

As a food industry donor, you can donate food product including excess inventory, surplus from test marketing, a product that is cosmetically imperfect also known as “ugly food,” short code dated or minimally out of specification. A few food items to consider donating include: canned meats, vegetables, fruit, canned fish, stews, soups, peanut butter, rice, beans, pasta, dry goods, packaged goods, hygiene products, cleaning supplies, paper goods and perishable products.

Grocery Rescue

Roadrunner Food Bank has a fleet of refrigerated trucks that pick up donated product from grocery stores and super centers.  All grocers are encouraged to participate, and we can work with you to set up a regular pick up at your store.

Grocery Rescue – What to Donate

Some suggestions of what items you may think about donating include: unmarketable items but usable food such as fresh produce, dairy products and deli meats, overstock items, product near its “best use by date” or mislabeled food. We can always use meats, bakery, canned goods, packaged goods, rice, beans pasta and paper goods.

Growers and Farmers: Don’t dump or plow, DONATE Instead

Mother Nature is not perfect. Produce can vary in size, shape and quantity. At Roadrunner Food Bank, we can use any produce that doesn’t meet the retailers’ standards. We may be able to provide cardboard boxes or bins.  Be sure to ask our Food Rescue Manager!  Also, sometimes we can facilitate transportation or arrange transportation for larger produce donations. Learn more about growers and farmers rescue here.

Our Food Rescue programs allow us to supplement the food we have available with fresh produce and other items that our network of member partners relies upon to feed the hungry. In fact, every year, millions of pounds of the food we distributed is part of our Food Rescue Program!

Plus, your food donation is protected by federal law and state law too.  You can read more about them in the link below.

Make a Donation Today and Become a Food Industry Partner

Help us keep good quality food out of landfills by contributing your excess food today!  Instead of spending money disposing of unused food, donate your excess food items to Roadrunner Food Bank.  We also seek monetary donations year round too.

If you have questions or need to talk with someone about food industry donations, please get in touch with our Food Rescue Manager. Thank you for considering a donation of food so we can solve hunger in New Mexico.