How does it work?

What foods do we rescue?

• Fresh & frozen produce
• Fresh & frozen meat, cured meat
• Dairy products: fresh milk, milk powder, yoghurt, cream, cheese, cream, mayonnaise, hollandaise, tartare sauce
• Eggs
• Sandwiches, bread and bakery products
• Frozen foods
• Pre-packaged foods or meals in unopened, original packaging; ready meal examples: salads (bags and pottles), microwave meals/bulk prepared meals, fresh pies, pizzas and quiches, fresh soups (plastic pouches)
• Catered food that has not been served
• Drinks: smoothies, juice, fizzy drinks, non-alcoholic beverages
• Other: Tofu, dips (including hummus), packaged chips, biscuits and crackers, chocolate and sweets, dried nuts and fruits, packaged cereals and muesli bar, spreads and chutneys, canned goods, dried bulk goods (flour, sugar, oats etc.), baby pouch, cooking oil, salad oil

What foods don’t we rescue?

• Food that has become unsuitable for human consumption due decay or spoilage
• Food that is past its ‘Use By’ date. Please note that there is a difference between “Best Before” and “Use By”
• Cooked food not prepared in a commercial kitchen
• Catered food that has been served (on a buffet or similar)
• Shellfish and other high risk seafood
• Food in damaged or open packaging which may compromise food safety
• Foods or beverages containing alcohol
• General rubbish e.g. cut scraps, vegetable peelings

Got surplus food but unsure if it is good to donate? Call us!

Food rescue process

• Contact us to discuss the food donation you’d like to make. We’ll give you:
  • Information about the foods that Just Zilch does and doesn’t rescue (please also see below)
  • Official food donation advice from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)
  • A Memorandum of Understanding which outlines Just Zilch’s and your responsibilities when donating food.

• Once you’re signed up as a food donor, we’ll arrange a pick-up schedule that suits you. This may be a regular pick-up each day or week, or an ad hoc pick-up when you have food to donate.

• At the arranged time, our driver will collect your surplus food in our truck/ van.

• Donated food is taken to our premises, where our food sorting volunteers check it for quality before getting it ready for our free store and our community group recipients to collect the same day or following day.

• Food that doesn’t meet our quality standards for passing on to community groups or is donated to Pig Farm.

• Food is handled and stored in line with the highest food safety standards throughout the entire process.

Important information

• We do not require minimum weight for food pick-ups or drop-offs. Drop-offs of food are accepted during business hours. Or could potentially be picked up as well if we have the resource available at that time.
• Just Zilch does not accept any food past its ‘Use By’ date, or food that is no longer fit for human consumption.

How about Food Safety regulations?

There are no regulations stopping businesses from donating surplus food and it is safe to do so. The New Zealand Food Act 2014 specifically permits businesses to donate unsold food. Known as the ‘Good Samaritan Clause’, clause 352 states that companies can donate or give away unsold food and are protected from any liability provided the food is safe and suitable to eat.

Just Zilch holds itself to the highest food safety standards and we’ll work closely with you to make sure that we get the best result for all.

You can find out more on MPI’s website.