Prevent Food Waste at Businesses
Food rescue organizations need unwanted edible food, so they can give it to those who need it.
Get started with food donation
- Prepared menu items and buffet foods
- Produce, dairy and deli items as long as they were kept at safe temperatures
- Unused food from catered events
- Day-old and other baked goods
- Unlabeled or mislabeled foods
- Excess produce from community gardens
Food donors are protected by the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Act. Organizations that donate food in good faith to a nonprofit are not subject to liability on the condition of the food. Learn more about Minnesota food waste policies.
The federal tax code allows a deduction for donated food. Qualified commercial taxpayers can deduct the cost to produce the food and half the difference between the cost and full fair market value of the donated food.
Speak with a tax professional to learn more.
Schedule regular pick-ups for donated food
Additional food donation organizations
Resources
- ConServe – Best practices by the National Restaurant Association
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Food Donation Basics
Get help
Businesses can get free funding and assistance with food waste prevention efforts through county's Business Recycling Program.
Farmers Market Food Rescue Grants
Dakota County’s Farmers Market Grant Program provides funding for projects that help reduce food waste from farmers markets. Examples of eligible projects are:
- Educating and training vendors on food waste prevention.
- Collecting edible produce that would have otherwise been thrown away.
- Compensating vendors at seconds-rate for produce that would have been disposed.
- Redistributing produce to Dakota County food shelves.
Eligibility
- Must be an organization that operates farmers markets in municipalites within Dakota County.
- Must be in "active/good standing" status with the Minneosta Secretary of State.
Funding
- Funding is available for the 2026 farmers market season.
- Total funding amount is $85,000.
- Minimum amount requested is $10,000.
- Grants are available until all 2026 funding is awarded.
- This grant program is a pilot that is funded through the state’s Select Committee on Recycling and the Environment (SCORE) grant funds and county landfill fees.
How to apply
Review the Farmers Market Food Rescue Grant guidelines.
Apply through the Farmers Market Food Rescue Grant online form. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis until Aug. 14, 2026.