Give Food

In addition to financial contributions, The Nashville Food Project welcomes in-kind donations of food items that can be used as ingredients in nutritious meals. Whether you’d like to share fresh produce from your garden or excess food from licensed caterers, we’d love to connect with you!

If you’re with a local farm, you can click here to find more ways to get involved.

We are currently accepting donations by appointment only. When you’re ready to donate, contact David Frease at davidf@thenashvillefoodproject.org or (615) 460-0172 to coordinate. If possible, be ready to answer the questions below so we can plan how the items will fit into our menus.

Food Donation Guide

Produce

  • How much is available (in weight or bushels)?

  • Has the produce already been harvested? If not, can we harvest it?

  • When was the produce harvested or purchased?

  • Where are you located?

  • Are you able to deliver the items to our office at 5904 California Avenue? If schedules allow, The Nashville Food Project can pick up produce donations of at least 75 pounds/approximately three bushels within 15 miles of our offices.

Prepared Food

  • How much is available?

  • What type of food is available?

  • When was the food prepared and served? In what type of containers has it been stored?

  • Are you able to deliver the items to our office at 5904 California Avenue?

We also accept some pantry items, but only within certain criteria.

  • Items must be delivered to our office at 5904 California Avenue.

  • We will prioritize those that are often used in our meal preparation:

    • Cooking oils (olive, canola, vegetable)

    • Brown rice

    • Whole wheat pasta, preferably penne, rigatoni, and farfalle

    • Unseasoned canned black beans

    • Individual unsweetened applesauce cups

    • Honey

  • Healthy foods only; no sodas, candy or processed foods.

  • We cannot accept items that have expired.

Have questions about liability protection for food donations in Tennessee? Businesses (including farms), non-profits and other entities that provide or receive donated food are generally well protected by laws. Click here to learn more here.

Host a Food Drive

Volunteer-organized food drives regularly help fill our pantry! If you’d like to garner support for The Nashville Food Project from you family, friends, co-workers, faith community or neighborhood, contact David Frease at davidf@thenashvillefoodproject.org for details and suggestions. Gift cards to grocery stores are also welcome and appreciated!