Donate Food
Put good food to good use.
Food donations are an important part of our food sourcing initiatives. Individuals, community groups, retailers, manufacturers, distributors, farmers and others can help ensure nutritious food is available to neighbors throughout Central Texas.
There are many ways to donate, and the best option depends on what you have to give, and how much of it you have.
Host a Food Drive
Bring your community together around food.
Food drives are a simple way for schools, workplaces, faith communities, neighborhoods and other groups to collect shelf-stable food for CTFB.
Before you start, check our most-needed items and donation guidelines so the food you collect is useful, safe and ready to get to our neighbors.
Looking for an easier option?
A Virtual Food Drive eliminates the need to collect, store and transport food while giving us the flexibility to source the items most needed.
Start Your Virtual Food Drive →
Food Industry Donation
Have food available at scale? Let's put it to work.
We works with retailers, manufacturers, distributors, growers and food service businesses to recover surplus food that can safely be distributed through our network. Commercial food donations can help reduce waste while increasing the amount and variety of food available to our neighbors.
Current food-industry partnerships include retail rescue, farm and produce donations, and wholesale and manufacturer donations.
Surplus inventory doesn't necessarily have to become waste. Through food recovery partnerships, eligible fresh, perishable and shelf-stable products can be redirected for community use.
Our team can work with your business to determine what we can accept and coordinate donation logistics.
Retail + Grocery Donations
Surplus inventory doesn't necessarily have to become waste. Through food recovery partnerships, eligible fresh, perishable and shelf-stable products can be redirected for community use.
Our team can work with your business to determine what we can accept and coordinate donation logistics.
Contact Our Team to Get Started →
Farm + Produce Donations
Farmers, growers and other agricultural partners can donate eligible fresh produce to CTFB. Our team can help determine whether your available product can be accepted and coordinate next steps.
Contact Our Team to Get Started →
Manufacturer + Distributor Donations
We work with manufacturers, distributors and other food businesses on larger-scale donations of eligible food inventory.
Contact Our Team to Get Started →
Hunters for the Hungry Program
Do you have a buck or some doe to spare? Through this program, hunters can donate legally tagged, field-dressed whitetail or mule deer to participating meat processors. The venison is then prepared for distribution through the Central Texas Food Bank.
Food Donation Guidelines
Food safety comes first. What we can accept depends on the type, condition, packaging and source of the food. Review current guidelines before collecting or transporting a donation.
Deliver your donation to the CTFB: We are located at 6500 Metropolis Dr., Austin, TX 78744 (please use the parking lot entrance off Burleson Rd.). Drive through the black gate to our warehouse loading dock and park in docks 8, 9, or 10. Place food in the donation bin located on the loading dock — no appointment or weighing required. Donations are accepted Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. For your safety and ours, please wear closed-toe shoes and observe the 5 mph speed limit when entering the drop-off area.
Download A Food Donation Receipt →
For donations over 1,500 pounds, please contact our team to schedule a pickup. Ensure all items are packed in sturdy cardboard boxes or durable bags that will not tear or tip over. Our donation coordinators are available Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. at 512.282.2111 x 1404.
