Give Food

How to Donate Food

Anyone can donate non-perishable food items and fresh produce at our warehouse. Check out our list of Most Needed Food Items for ideas.

Drop-off instructions:

We accept donations of food (perishable and non-perishable) and personal care items at our warehouse located at 1 Carrot Way, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.

Currently, we are hosting contactless drop-offs. When you arrive, pull up to the donation drop-off sign and call the warehouse at 734-761-2796 to let us know you have arrived. A staff member will come out and take the food from your car.

What Foods Are Accepted

Food Gatherers accepts donations of perishable and non-perishable foods, as well as non-food items. We follow federal, state, and local food safety regulations, and comply with additional standards to ensure the safety and health of the recipients. Please note the donation guidelines for the following items:

  • Canned and dry goods: Unopened and in their original packaging, labeled with ingredients and allergens, in good condition (no dents, bulging or rust), within 1 year past the use-by date.
  • Fresh produce: No signs of mold, spoilage or severe bruising. May be purchased or from your own garden.
  • Dairy products and eggs: Unopened, pasteurized, and within 5 days past the sell-by date; must be received at 41°F or below. We can only accept eggs from USDA inspected facilities.
  • Baked goods: Within 2 days past the sell-by date, prepared in a licensed, inspected food establishment, in sealed packaging with allergens and ingredients listed.
  • Meat products: Unopened, labeled for commercial sale, and have been frozen on or before the sell-by date. Items should be less than 3 months old (frozen the whole time).
  • Deli products: We accept deli products (salads, sandwiches) in their original unopened containers, labeled with ingredients and allergens. Must be received at 41°F or below, donated or frozen on or before the sell-by date.
  • Prepared/catered food: We accept prepared foods that have not been previously served to the public (buffet/family style). Items must be prepared in a licensed kitchen, properly packaged, labeled with ingredients and allergens, stored at 41°F or lower, and donated before sell-by date. Please contact us if you have not donated these items previously.
  • Livestock/wild game: Under certain conditions, we accept donations of frozen, processed livestock and wild game meat. There are very specific guidelines for these donations, which you should review here. Please contact us before donating livestock or wild game meat.
  • Personal care items: We accept unused personal hygiene products in their original packaging. We also accept cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer, and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Host a Food Drive

Organize a food drive to engage your family, friends, and colleagues in the fight against hunger where we live. Check out our Food & Fund Drive Planning Guide for more detailed information on how to plan and promote your food drive to make it a success!

Note: Because Food Gatherers can purchase food at a significant discount, it is often more cost-effective to donate funds instead of food. For every dollar you spend to purchase food at the store, we can buy two to three times more from national wholesalers. You can add a fundraising component to your food drive by creating a personal fundraising page (choose “Help Us Fundraise”). 

Ready to begin?

Give What You Grow

Donate fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs from your home, congregation, or community garden. Your donation of fresh produce, big or small, helps Food Gatherers distribute healthy food in our community. We accept produce donations at our warehouse located at 1 Carrot Way, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.

Plant a Row for the Hungry
Nationally sponsored by the Garden Writers’ Association, Plant a Row encourages gardeners to grow extra produce or donate surplus to food banks. Food Gatherers invites gardeners and farmers to join the annual campaign to alleviate hunger and support health in our community.

Contact Information & Resources

Food Gatherers
Phone: 734-761-2796
Email: info@foodgatherers.org