St. Mary’s Food Bank maintains a 60-40 standard: At a minimum, 60% of produce provided should be appropriate for human consumption; 40% may need disposal. It is the agency’s responsibility to sort and dispose of any product not fit for human consumption.

If you receive product which you feel you cannot store or give out safely, please:

    • Notify the driver that you are unable to accept the pallet. You must accept or reject full pallets in the condition they arrive – you may not choose to keep or reject only certain items on a pallet.
    • On your receipt, make a note of the item you are rejecting and why.
    • Send a copy of your receipt, a picture of the product, and a description of the issue, to your Agency Services Representative within 24 hours.