Retail Donation Program

The program is open to NTFB agency partners. Ideal partners include those with the ability to rescue, store, and distribute:

• Fresh Produce
• Dairy
• Deli/Prepared
• Frozen Meats
• Bakery
• Assorted Dry Goods
• Assorted Non-Food Items

Participation Requirements:

1. Agency is within 30 minutes of a participating Store
2. Agency has the capacity to pick up at least 1-2 times per week
3. Agency has the capacity to store all products within their authorized facility
4. Agency has access to thermal blankets, coolers, or refrigerated transportation to pick up refer/frozen donations

 Agency Requirements:

1. Participate in an initial orientation phone call/meeting and any other training required by the North Texas Food Bank and Feeding America. Adhere to NTFB policies and procedures provided to Agency/Program Host Site in training and other materials.
2. Agency Partners who are assigned to stores will need to provide a point of contact for store management to coordinate pickup scheduling or other needs.
3. Agency Partners picking up refrigerated or frozen items such as meat, produce, dairy, and deli items are required to refrigerate these items during transport and storage. Approved devices include temperature-controlled coolers, thermal blankets, or active temperature devices (i.e. refrigerated truck/unit). Agency Partners are responsible for acquiring and maintaining these devices.
4. Agency Partners are required to accept all products that are offered. If a product quality issue arises, the agency should only communicate through NTFB personnel who will then address the issue with the participating store.
5. Agency Partners are required to log the temperatures on items requiring freezer and cooler handling. Products that fall outside of temperature guidelines must be destroyed. Temperature logs should be maintained and made available for review by NTFB upon request.
6. Agency Partners should have identification cards or badges available for presentation at the time of pick-up to store personnel.
7. Agency Partners will be responsible for documenting the weight of each direct pick up and reporting this activity on a weekly basis to NTFB through the online MealConnect system. NTFB will then compile the agencies' poundage into a consolidated report for each retail donor partner.
8. Agency Partners agree to distribute products received to people facing hunger through direct service or other NTFB agency partners. Retail products cannot be distributed through non-NTFB partnered organizations. (This is in accordance with the Feeding America Partner Food Bank Agreement).
9. Agency Partners are responsible for notifying NTFB of any relevant changes to their agency or program that may affect the Retail Program. (Agency Contacts, Pickup Schedule Changes, Driver Information, Holiday Closures, etc.)

Program Commitments:

• Rescue all eligible donated products provided by donors each pickup
• Maintain safe food handling and storage conditions
• Coordinate consistent regular pick-ups (typically multiple times per week)
• Commit to punctual, weekly reporting of all donations from donors
• Communicate any pickup schedule changes and holiday closures
• Commit to uphold all aspects of NTFB agency partner agreements

• Increase access to a variety of quality, nutritious foods
• Strengthened community presence
• Reduced food costs
• Support from NTFB

Interested agencies should complete the Retail Donation Program Application here, or email the Retail Donations Team at ntfbretail@ntfb.org.