What can be done about this useless waste - Gleaning and Food Rescue. Today many nonprofit organizations are expanding the definition of gleaning to include not only crops from the fields but leftover food from restaurants, stores, farmer markets, cafeterias, food manufacturers and hundreds of others. Businesses and individuals also donate food from special functions like weddings and sporting events. One barrier to food donations is the issue of liability to the food donor. This law limits the liability of the donor for food donated in good faith for free distribution by charitable groups.
Tax credits are also available to food donors.
Last year, Foodchain members, distributed over 100 million pounds of food to over 7,000 community based groups. Foodchain assists organizations interested in rescuing leftover food to develop procedures for the safe pick-up, handling, delivery, and preparation of these donated foods. Some also process excess produce through canning, freezing, or drying. Many also provide training in the culinary arts to help the economically disadvantaged gain marketable skills. Besides providing basic food to needy individuals, gleaners are also concerned with the quality and variety of food.