Do Food Banks Accept Expired Food?
Let’s bust a myth right now: “Expired” doesn’t always mean unsafe. If you’ve ever stared down a can of beans in your pantry wondering if it’s still good to donate, you’re not alone. We get this question all the time: “Do food banks accept expired food?”
The Short Answer: Sometimes, yes.
Here at Food Bank of Alaska, we follow strict food safety guidelines—and we also know that date labels can be super confusing. Most people don’t realize that dates like “Best By,” “Sell By,” and “Use By” aren’t regulated expiration dates (with the exception of infant formula). In fact, these labels are more about quality than safety.
👉 “Best By” ≠ Bad Food
Food that’s past its “Best By” date may still be safe and perfectly good to eat.
To help clear things up, we created an easy-to-read Shelf Life Guidelines resource that outlines what our sort room volunteers and agency partners use when sorting food and distributing it to our neighbors.
We review every item that comes through our doors to make sure it’s safe for Alaskans who rely on our network. Our trained staff and volunteers inspect food donations to determine what’s usable—and what’s not. And when food isn’t usable for human consumption? We don’t toss it in the landfill.
Nothing Goes to Waste
Food that’s no longer safe for people doesn’t just disappear. Thanks to partnerships with local livestock farms, unusable food gets repurposed as animal feed—keeping it out of landfills and putting it to good use. It’s all part of how we work to reduce waste while nourishing our state.
Want to Check Before You Donate?
If you’re not sure whether something is still good, we recommend downloading the FoodKeeper App. It’s a free resource backed by the USDA that helps you figure out how long food stays fresh and safe.
Pro tip: If you wouldn’t serve it to your own family, it probably isn’t a great donation.
So, What Should You Donate?
We love receiving:
- Canned proteins like tuna, chicken, or beans
- Pasta, rice, oatmeal
- Nut butters
- Shelf-stable milk or milk alternatives
- Canned fruits and veggies (low sodium or no added sugar, if possible)
- View our full healthy donations list here!
Always check for rust, dents, or broken seals—and when in doubt, use our shelf life guidelines to help you decide. Your donations go to families, elders, and individuals who count on reliable meals.
Want to Learn More About Food Safety?
If you’re curious about food labeling, recalls, or how food banks stay safe while reducing waste, check out these reputable resources:
Have questions about what’s safe to donate? Comment below or call us at 907-272-3663. Let’s keep food out of the trash and on plates across Alaska.
