Lancing and Sompting Churches’ Food Bank

Disposal of Food and Other Donations Policy and Procedures (PDF)

1 Purpose

From time to time the Food bank is given food that is either of a very specific nature e.g. specialist ingredients / flavour or close to its expiry / best before (BBF) / use by date. This may not be distributed in time or not be wanted by families.

The purpose of this policy is to reduce food waste by establishing routes by which undistributed or unwanted food nearing it best before / use by date can be used by anyone whether or not they are a visitor to the food bank. This policy will also protect our team from any allegations of impropriety.

The food bank is set up mainly to deal with food. However, we are also offered items which can fall under the broad headings of toiletries or baby care products. We will accept those and distribute or dispose of them in the same way as we deal with food.

We are not set up to handle any other type of donations. Where these are offered, we will turn them down and suggest that contact is made with the Families Centre or other appropriate agency.

Very occasionally we strategically buy essentials e.g. slow cookers, blankets, room heaters etc. These are bought to order and should not need to go down a disposal route.

2 Food disposal

Disposal means the removal of food from our stockrooms / bags and may be taken by someone who can use them. Where no one can use food or toiletries they will go into an appropriate bin for disposal.

3 Scope

The Food Bank does not want to send any food to landfill.

We accept the guidance given by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) that food one day past its Use By date must go for disposal and cannot be given to anyone. Food on its BBF date can be taken by volunteers from the Food Bank or Sompting Community Church.  Also, any food with damaged packaging must go for disposal. All food falling into this category must go into the normal refuse routes.

This guidance is also interpreted for and applied to toiletries.

4 Policy statement

Food bank volunteers are encouraged to take and use any food which is very close to its key dates (but not beyond its use by date).

Food that is of a flavour / type that is unlikely to be used by our visitors can be given to volunteers.  Large quantities of such items may be offered to other food banks (e.g. vegan items to the Worthing Vegan Food Bank).  We have in the past had things like Stilton and Broccoli Soup, some esoteric curries, and specialist raw ingredients. Foodstuffs like this can be taken by volunteers.

Any undistributed fresh food which cannot be safely kept until the next distribution session can be taken by volunteers.

Food in damaged packaging or which has expired key dates must go for disposal either in refuse bins or composting.

Food and drink items containing alcohol are sometimes donated but the Food Bank policy is not to issues such items to visitors, and so may be offered to volunteers.

5 Procedures

Where there is food falling into the categories set out above volunteers are welcome to take it for use at home.  Alcoholic drink may be kept in the stores for use as a prize for fundraising (e.g. the next tombola).

The person leading the distributions session must agree that:

a)       The food is unlikely to be used by its sell by date,
b)      The nature of the food is such that visitors are unlikely to want / be able to use it.

Food beyond its key dates or fresh food which cannot be stored should go into the nearest appropriate refuse bin.