Gardening and addiction recovery have a lot in common. Both take time, care, commitment, and the right environment to grow and heal. This connection is proven every day at Blanchet Farm in Oregon, where residents in recovery build skills, reconnect with the land, and grow nourishing food through gardening. 

We strive to offer opportunities for hands-on work outdoors while also being thoughtful stewards of the land we’re entrusted with. 

Blanchet Farm residents built raised beds for the garden.

Gardening offers people a way to experience and take part in recovery. Planting seeds, caring for growing plants, and harvesting food can be both healing and deeply symbolic for those working to rebuild their lives. It also provides a meaningful sense of purpose and accomplishment. 

“I find peace in the garden and I always have,” says W.D., a current Blanchet Farm resident. “I love being outside and working on something. You learn a lot of valuable skills along with it. You also get an amazing return.”

The vegetable garden at Blanchet Farm is well underway thanks to the leadership of a current resident with a green thumb. So far this spring, residents have planted greens, carrots, radishes, and onions, just to name a few. And several varieties of tomatoes are already starting to perk up around custom-built trellises. 

The first crop of radishes was sent to Blanchet House to be used for meals. 

Blanchet Farm is blessed with 62 acres in Carlton, and we strive to be thoughtful stewards of the land. This means working to improve current practices as well as implementing small-scale sustainable agriculture techniques.  

Permaculture and Sustainable Practices

Looking ahead, Blanchet Farm is establishing a perennial foodscape in partnership with Edible Landscapes of Yamhill County. The design will be guided by the permaculture ethics of Earth care, people care, and future care.  

In a permaculture food forest plants work together in tree guilds to help each other grow and thrive. The fruits and vegetables planted will return year after year and are low maintenance, so the crops will be self-sustaining and provide for current and future residents. 

James Vander Meide and Vicki Gunn of Edible Landscapes collaborated on the design for the Blanchet Farm food forest design. Both individuals have certificates in permaculture design.

Additionally, employing conservation best practices results in rainwater retention and erosion control. Soil-building methods, such as thoughtful use of companion plants, mulch, and cover crops, lead us into a regenerative system that not only feeds people but helps heal the earth.  

“On the human side, the data is clear that gardening has a host of therapeutic benefits. The people working in this food forest will see mental, emotional, and social regeneration. We are thrilled to collaborate with Blanchet Farm to bring this food forest to life,” writes Charlene Doland, the president of Edible Landscapes. 

Ultimately, with the Blanchet Farm garden and food forest, we hope to nurture and enrich the lives of our residents while cultivating a healthier landscape for years to come. 

Ways to Support Blanchet Farm’s Gardening Initiatives

• Visit the McMinnville Farmers Market. Residents will be harvesting crops from the garden to sell at the Blanchet Farm booth on May 29, June 26, and July 24.
• Donate plant starts for the food forest. Email Gabby at gthuillier@blanchethouse.org for the plant list.
• Email Michael at mseid@blanchethouse.org to inquire about group volunteer opportunities at the farm.

The post Blanchet Farm Uses Gardening to Heal People and the Land appeared first on Blanchet House.

By Julie Showers

Natural beekeeping expert and advocate Alasdair MacKenzie‘s time with bees began conventionally with keeping wooden box hives in his yard. However, frustrated by the recurring challenges of bee mortality, he looked to nature for answers. By observing wild bees in their natural habitats, Alasdair started experimenting with housing environments, leading to the birth of a passion for natural log beekeeping.

“I experimented with a regular box hive and cardboard box, I came back in February on a sunny day at 32 degrees, and all the bees in the wood box were dead and the bees in the cardboard box were alive. The wood box condenses water onto them so they are soaking wet when it gets cold. Moisture was killing them in the box because they didn’t get airflow. The log hives have really big entrances so the wind is whipping through there with needed airflow,” Alasdair explained.

Natural beekeeping advocate and expert Alasdair Mackenzie with a hive log he installed at Blanchet Farm. Photo courtesy of Alasdair Mackenzie.

Unlike traditional beekeeping methods that often rely on chemical treatments and interventions, Alasdair’s log hives are left mostly untouched. The bees find their food, develop resistance to pests through natural selection, and thrive in their log homes. These log hives, crafted from old trees that would otherwise be discarded, offer the bees a sanctuary where they can live and prosper as nature intended.

“I have 80-plus logs out in the world right now. You don’t have to do anything when you do natural beekeeping,” he explains. “When you’re keeping bee boxes you get pissed off because the bees keep dying and you keep putting money in and you get nothing in return. With the log hives, there is no financial transaction going on. I don’t charge for the logs or bees. Don’t treat them, feed them, or open the box up, and they’ll thrive.”

Natural Beekeeping Honey

The goal of most small-scale beekeeping endeavors is to produce honey and wax for personal use or sale. With natural beekeeping, honey is something you must wait for. Unlike conventional methods where honey production is often prioritized and accelerated, natural beekeeping allows bees to produce honey at their own pace, emphasizing patience and respect for the bees’ natural rhythms.

“You’ll get large bricks of aged honey from log hives that will make you never want to eat honey from a store again,” Alasdair enthusiastically shares. “The honey is wrinkled up and really dark. There’s something going on between the log and the bees as the log breaks down. I think that is affecting the honey. The old-timers talk about this.”

Natural beekeeping advocate and expert Alasdair Mackenzie lifts the lid off a swarm he collected to introduce to a log he installed at Blanchet Farm. Photo courtesy of Alasdair Mackenzie.

The Healing Power of Bees

For Alasdair, beekeeping is not just about conservation, it’s also a therapeutic endeavor. The act of tending to the bees, observing their behaviors, and connecting with nature has been instrumental in his journey of alcohol recovery. The bees, in their mysterious way, have become his companions, confidants, and therapists.

“I have a life now where I don’t drink and do a lot of bee work. What I came to discover through AA, drinking is not good for me and I was disconnected from nature–disconnected from creation and a creator. I don’t know what that really means but we’re not connected like we used to be 300 years ago. When I got back into nature I felt a bit more at peace, less bothered by things,” Alasdair shared.

Alasdair’s natural beekeeping methods have garnered attention and sometimes controversy. While some advocate for chemical treatments to combat mites, Alasdair stands firm in his belief in the resilience of bees and their ability to learn survival techniques. His logs have survived harsh winters when traditional box hives failed, showcasing the effectiveness of this alternative approach.

“Bees know what to do, they’ve been doing it for thousands of years. Parasites like mites are developing resistance to chemicals so you have to come up with more innovative ways. Natural selection is the best way for immunity. They groom each other for mites and toss them out of the hive,” Alasdair says. “We do need commercial beekeepers to pollinate so we can feed 8 billion people but the bees are becoming dumb and don’t know how to care for themselves. The bees have become dependent on us.”

His bee hive logs, now numbering over 80, have been placed in urban gardens, CSAs, and now Blanchet Farm in Yamhill County, Oregon. At its core, Alasdair’s mission is rooted in mental wellness. His rediscovery of nature and the therapeutic benefits of beekeeping have been transformative, helping him find peace and purpose without the crutch of alcohol. The therapeutic benefits of bees are something he hopes will help the residents staying in Blanchet Farm’s addiction recovery program. The natural log hive installed at the farm by Alasdair will complement the already thriving therapeutic beekeeping program created and sustained by beekeepers Katy Fackler and Brian Wagstaff. The two volunteer to teach the men staying at the farm how to care for the bees and their hives.

Natural beekeeping advocate and expert Alasdair Mackenzie opens up space in an old log for a swarm of bees to inhabit at Blanchet Farm. Photo courtesy of Alasdair Mackenzie.

Telling the Bees

In European folklore, people would “tell the bees” about significant life events, believing that the bees needed to be informed to maintain harmony in their colonies. Alasdair embodies this tradition, conversing with his bees and sharing his joys and challenges with them, further deepening his bond with these remarkable creatures. It’s also a healing exercise for Alasdair and he believes it can be for others in addiction recovery.

“Bees represent the bridge between life and the afterlife. Tell the bees what your problems are,” he urges. “I put some logs out in a CSA and the farmer kept calling to say that when workers see the bees flying and coming around it lifts their spirits and keeps them company.”

Alasdair MacKenzie’s journey from conventional beekeeping to natural beekeeping is a testament to the resilience of nature and the healing power it holds. Through his work, he not only supports the conservation of bees but also promotes mental wellness and a deeper connection with the natural world. As we face increasing environmental challenges, Alasdair’s approach offers a beacon of hope and a reminder of the beauty and resilience of nature when left undisturbed.

Learn more about natural beekeeping from Alasdair on his YouTube channel 18Bees. 

Learn more about Blanchet Farm’s addiction recovery program here.

The post Boxes to Logs, Natural Beekeeping with Alasdair Mackenzie appeared first on Blanchet House.

Blanchet House is proud to announce that we are now a member of the Zero Food Waste Coalition. This coalition of companies, non-profit organizations, cities, and other entities is working to improve the food system at the federal, state, and local levels.

As a member of the coalition, we are participating in Food Waste Prevention Week, April 1-7, and Food Waste Prevention Day, April 24. Greater public participation reaffirms our commitment to supporting systemic change to prevent food waste.

Blanchet House has been at the forefront of the battle to lessen food waste and end hunger. Our organization has been rescuing surplus food from businesses, homes, and grocery stores for decades. It began as a humble way for our small nonprofit soup kitchen to keep food expenses low but has evolved into a mission to make a bigger positive impact on the community and environment.

Read more about our food waste prevention efforts here.

We are grateful for the support and collaboration of our partners to end food waste and alleviate hunger. Together, we are making a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and the health of our planet.

PDX Venues Collaborative:
– Oregon Zoo
– Portland Expo Center
– Oregon Convention Center (OCC)
– Moda Center/Portland Trail Blazers
– Levy Food

Other Local Partners:
– Wave Foundation
– Careit

The post Food Waste Prevention Week appeared first on Blanchet House.

At Blanchet House of Hospitality, Earth Day is every day. Our mission compels us to better the health and well-being of the people we serve, which means caring for the environment we share too. From our nonprofit meal program’s zero food waste kitchen to our building’s construction we have incorporated sustainable living practices to lessen the negative impact on the environment.

Operating sustainably means we are reducing the number of resources needed to run our programs by doing the following:

Green roof for rainwater collection and resident relaxation at Blanchet House.

Green Roof for Rainwater Harvesting

An estimated 63,000 gallons of rainwater can be collected from Blanchet House’s green roof. Rainwater harvesting creates an alternative water supply that stores rainwater for later uses like toilet flushing. Blanchet House estimates that well over 150,000 gallons of fresh water are saved every year by using a rainwater harvesting and recirculation system. The small plants on the green roof also work to capture airborne pollutants and filter noxious gases.

Chef Shannon Chasteen is holding surplus apples donated from a local grocery store.

Rescue Surplus Food from Local Businesses for a Sustainable Nonprofit Kitchen

Blanchet House helps reduce food waste in Portland by collecting overstocked surplus food from grocery stores, restaurants (Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s), and wholesalers. In 2020, we kept more than 63 tons of surplus edible food from going to waste. Our chefs inspect all gleaned food for quality and then prepare delicious meals for our food-insecure guests daily. We also share surplus food with local mutual aid groups and partner organizations like Feed the Mass, Meals to Us, and PDX Free Fridge. Learn more about our food rescue program.

A resident of Blanchet Farm pets a pig kept for comfort and to reduce food waste.

Food Waste Reduction for a Sustainable Nonprofit Kitchen

We strive for a zero-food waste sustainable kitchen. Blanchet House composts all food scraps, unused food, and leftovers by turning them into feed for farm animals at Blanchet Farm and other farms. Food scraps are collected daily and then heated to eliminate harmful bacteria before being fed as slop to pigs. Goats, ducks, sheep, and chickens also help with sustainability by eating grains, bread, fruit, and vegetables. In 2020, the animals at Blanchet Farm kept more than six tons of food waste out of landfills. Learn more about our food reduction program.

A resident of Blanchet House loads food scraps onto a farmer’s truck.

Recycling Program

A comprehensive recycling program to manage the disposal of cardboard, paper, plastic, glass, and metals is also critical to the operations of a sustainable nonprofit. The residents of our transitional housing program sort and collect recycling every day from our nonprofit kitchen and facilities helping to meet sustainability goals.

Blanchet House is also a BottleDrop Give partner which means you can collect refundable cans and bottles to support our services to the community. Learn more about how to participate in the blue bag program.

Construction of Blanchet House began in 2011.

Energy Efficiency

In 2012, a new LEED Platinum Certified Blanchet House was constructed to replace the original, now dilapidated structure next door. SERA Architects and Fortis Construction focused on erecting a building that utilized sustainable design and construction practices that would positively benefit operations. The new greener building helps achieve a high percentage of water, energy, and cost savings giving the Blanchet House more money for programs that directly help people in need.

• Energy efficiency measures include an improved thermal envelope, reduced interior lighting power density, daylighting and occupancy sensors, and a high-efficiency boiler.
• More than 75 percent of the total wood-based building materials were harvested from FSC-certified forests.

Lighting is a big part of a building’s energy use. By participating in Energy Trust of Oregon’s Small Business Lighting program, Blanchet House has energy-efficient lighting measures throughout our Portland building. Energy-efficient LEDs reduce overall energy usage and carbon output. The improved lighting also creates brighter, safer spaces for our community.

The post 5 Ways to Run a More Sustainable Nonprofit Kitchen appeared first on Blanchet House.

By Jon Seibert 

Blanchet House is well known for the thousands of meals we serve in our free café. But did you know that the majority of that food is donated?  

Grocery stores, convention centers, wholesalers, and restaurants need to move out excess fresh produce, meat, dairy, and dry goods weekly to make way for newer products. This surplus food is a big problem for businesses. And there are hunger-insecure people who can eat it. Charitable food providers like Blanchet House have the capacity to safely take in some of this food.  

We accept tons of unexpired or soon-to-expire food daily, inspect it for quality, and then prepare it into delicious meals for guests of our free café in Old Town. Blanchet House chefs can confidently accept donated food from our partners because they are required by law to follow strict health and safety guidelines.  

We also receive inquiries about food donations from individuals and community groups. They often are not as well versed in food safety but still want to save good food to not go from going to waste.  

Food donors often want to know if we can take certain items, and what would be considered “safe” to serve. There’s confusion around what’s acceptable to donate and what should be thrown away. Food expiration and use-by dates are often a common concern and I hope that this article can provide some answers and clarity. 

Food Donation Laws 

Federal and State Good Samaritan laws help protect donors from liability and encourage them to donate food.  

The USDA writes of the federal law, “The Act protects persons who donate food and grocery products that meet all quality and labeling standards imposed by Federal, State, and local laws and regulations. The Act also extends liability protections to donors of food and grocery products that do not meet all quality and labeling standards if the donor informs the nonprofit organization that receives the items, the nonprofit organization agrees to recondition the items to meet all quality and labeling standards, and the nonprofit organization is knowledgeable of the standards to do so properly.” 

This is great news in terms of liability for our donors and organizations that accept donated food, but it also poses a question.  

Question: What are the “quality and labeling standards imposed by Federal, State, and local laws and regulations?”

Answer: Well, it’s a bit tricky, and I can’t blame anyone for being confused once they dive into the regulations. 

Food Expiration Terms 

We are all familiar with dating on different forms of food packaging, but did you know that, beyond infant formula, there is no universal definition for the date phrases you see on food packaging? The USDA gives some common examples, and what they generally mean: 

• A “Best, if Used By/Before” date, indicates when a product will be of the best flavor or quality.  It is not a purchase or safety date. 
• A ”Sell-By” date tells the store how long to display the product for sale for inventory management.  It is not a safety date.  
• A “Use-By” date is the last date recommended for the use of the product while at peak quality. It is not a safety date except for when used on infant formula as described below. 

• A “Freeze-By” date indicates when a product should be frozen to maintain peak quality. It is not a purchase or safety date. 

OK, that does seem pretty standard. But what are the FDA recommendations on food donations? Mostly they warn about opened or leaking packages, dented or rusting cans, and odd odors or visible mold. But they also have a warning about dates: 

• Don’t buy refrigerated foods that are past the “use-by” or “sell-by” dates, because these foods may be perishable and may have begun to spoil. 

Local Food Regulations  

So that covers federal regulations. What about state regulations? Surprisingly, many states don’t have them. A 2018 study from Harvard indicated that most states did not have meaningful regulations around donating food, which may be leading to a lack of donations and contributing to food waste. 

Oregon Department of Agriculture does have some guidance, and there are local rules protecting donors. The Oregon Food Bank also has a nifty guide to shelf life to help explain some common misconceptions. But within both, there are phrases like “fit for human consumption” and “generally not a safety issue” that leave a lot open to interpretation.  

Served with Dignity 

At this point, you may be thinking that this information has only created more confusion about which foods can or can’t be donated. Dates can be confusing, terms aren’t identified, and a lot is left to interpretation. So, if you want to donate food, what do you do? 

At Blanchet House of Hospitality, we are often serving people who are struggling with hunger and housing. Many of our guests are experiencing homelessness, and health issues are very common. When considering a donation, think about who will be receiving this food–someone who needs a nourishing meal. If you are considering donating something you wouldn’t eat yourself because it may have gone bad then it’s something that isn’t safe for our guests either. 

If your donation passes this test, but you aren’t sure it will be useful, please give us a call! We have five professional chefs on staff who make sure our kitchen serves balanced meals three times a day, six days a week. Their culinary expertise helps us determine what is best to use in the preparation of meals for our community.  

And if it’s no longer safe to eat, please remember to compost! 

Come See for Yourself 

If you want to learn more about how food donations can serve those in need, sign up to volunteer. Cafe volunteers plate food, serve guests, and bus tables. Chef volunteers with volume cooking experience are always welcome. Inquiries can be sent to volunteer@blanchethouse.org.

Jon Seibert is the Programs Director at Blanchet House. 

The post How to Donate Food Safely: Expiration Dates and Good Samaritan Laws appeared first on Blanchet House.

By Gabby Thuillier

Students from Portland’s Sunset High School collected refundable cans and bottles using BottleDrop’s Blue Bag program to help the homeless community. The fundraiser was led by Blanchet House Student Ambassador Kaylee Nguyen and her community service group Project PDX.

Nguyen started Project PDX after realizing that there were no clubs at her high school that solely focused on homelessness. Project PDX members volunteer, host drives, and assemble care kits to help organizations in Portland, including Blanchet House.

“[Homelessness] It’s such a pressing issue in our community, and many of our students are directly affected by it,” Nguyen said.

Kaylee Nguyen and a friend from Sunset High School collect refundable bottles and cans to raise money for Blanchet House.

The students realized that a BottleDrop Blue Bag fundraiser would be a great opportunity to engage the entire school in fundraising for the homeless community. Bottles are something many students discard in the school’s recycling bins. Project PDX encouraged their peers to donate them instead by dropping them off at one of five blue bag locations.

Most students donated single cans, but several brought large collections of cans to Nguyen’s home. One Project PDX member expanded the drive by creating a drop-off box at her dance studio.

In the end, students collected more than 285 cans, a total of eight full blue bags. The deposits will help fund Blanchet House’s services to the community.

“I’m glad to know that we were able to help out Blanchet in such a simple way by recycling in a purposeful way,” said Nguyen.

Blanchet House is grateful to Nguyen, Project PDX, and the students and faculty at Sunset High School for supporting this endeavor. If you’re interested in coordinating your own BottleDrop Blue Bag fundraiser, you can learn more here>.

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By Jon Seibert 

I was recently listening to “Radiolab,” one of my favorite podcasts, about how we triage people in need of help during times of crisis. The podcast episode “Playing God” dove into the challenges medical providers face while deciding which lives will be saved in war zones, hospitals, and natural disasters.  

Triage is a French word. It’s been used for at least a couple of hundred years to describe a morally challenging process of determining who receives care when resources are scarce.

The moral implications of medical triage are, to say the least, complicated. Do we first help those in the most need? Should we make decisions that create the “greatest good” such as preserving the lives of people with the most years left to live? Do people with certain skills, such as first responders, get help first? Do we set up a lottery system, or go on a first-come, first-served basis? The answers will vary from person to person. 

In listening to stories of doctors making tough decisions, I was reminded of the challenging decisions my colleagues and I make while serving people experiencing homelessness in Old Town, Portland. The need for aid is overwhelming. People knock on the doors of Blanchet House 24 hours a day asking for food, water, medical care, hygiene services, shelter, and sleeping supplies. We try to meet the needs of many, but our capacity is not unlimited. 

Since I began serving at Blanchet House, we’ve nearly tripled our paid staff. As we’ve grown more capacity to serve, we continually discuss how to adjust our protocols to determine when we can fulfill a request for help and when we sadly cannot. It’s painful to tell a suffering person in front of you that you cannot help them.  

I’ve met many compassionate people who give their time to social service organizations to help alleviate suffering. They attempt to meet the needs of everyone they encounter, breaking their backs to fulfill every request. Many people burn out this way, volunteers and professionals alike, sometimes leaving social services for good. Some of our peer agencies have had to close or stop services as they are unable to keep up with staffing demands as the crisis on our streets continues. 

A volunteer at Blanchet House selects a pair of donated shoes to give a guest in need.

Establish Triage Guidelines

In order to serve our guests and staff in the best way possible we must establish rules of engagement. We need guidelines for when we go the extra mile to help someone because we know that it’s not always possible. And we want to serve equitably and sustainably.  

In a recent email thread amongst staff, we shared that the same individual has been given at least four pairs of shoes over multiple weeks. They continue to show up to our door barefoot even on a 50-degree rainy day. Maybe their last pair were stolen, soiled, or sold. It’s also possible that their mental state caused them to take off their shoes and lose them. The challenge is that right behind is another person in need of shoes. And another. But we only have one pair left in a popular size. We must perform triage and determine who needs shoes more. 

If a person asks for shoe day after day, do we keep providing them, knowing that means another person won’t get a pair? At some point, do we have to decide that this individual can’t have any more pairs of shoes? How do we balance being a place without judgment with the fact that we need to assess how to efficiently deliver a limited inventory of shoes?  

I used to think the answers to these questions were simple. Now, they keep me up at night. 

The “Radiolab” podcast concludes that the challenge inherent in triage when resources are scarce is its connection to the deepest levels of humanity. For a compassionate person, there can be no one right answer to when not to help another person.  

“You have a God role, and nobody fits it,” said “Radiolab” co-host Robert Krulwich. 

A God role that gives you the authority to decide whether someone gets a blanket or not on a cold day in January can put you in a position to go against your gut instincts. If we continue to have to triage situations of life and death, we will eventually burn out from this internal conflict.  

Guests wait in line for food, clothing, shoes, and sleeping essentials at Blanchet House. Photo by Justin Katigbak.

How We Triage With Scarce Resources

Here’s what we’re doing at Blanchet House to avoid triaging on the fly and serving more equitably: 

• We have expanded staff and volunteers including adding peer support specialists.  
• To give people a clearer understanding of what we can provide them, we now have a schedule for when we hand out supplies. This schedule reduces stress and confusion.  
• The best way to avoid triage is to increase resources. We increased our ask to donors for sack lunches and hygiene care kits. This helps us better balance our inventory. 
• We built partnerships with peer agencies both nonprofit and governmental, to connect more people to life-saving resources. 

But it’s not enough. We still need to make hard decisions every day, because we are in the midst of a homelessness crisis. More money is needed across the human services sector, and essential staff positions remain unfilled. Without professional staff to regularly deliver support to our most vulnerable citizens, we can’t expect a significant reduction in homelessness. And we will continue to put employees and volunteers in morally difficult situations where they determine who gets the last sleeping bag. This way of serving is not sustainable. 

You can help by supporting Blanchet House and partner agencies by donating and volunteering. 

The post Triage: Who Deserves Help When Resources Are Scarce  appeared first on Blanchet House.

Around 53 million Americans sought assistance from food banks to feed their households in 2021 according to Feeding America. Yet we throw away tons of good food. It’s a logistical problem that can be helped by encouraging people to donate surplus food rather than toss it in landfills. 

Liability is a major concern for many potential food donors. And people consuming donated food need to be protected and know that what they are eating is safe. Empowering individuals and businesses to donate food is what the federal Good Samaritan Law of 1996 is designed to do. 

It can be confusing for many of us to know which foods are ok to donate and under what circumstances. This article aims to help you better understand the laws designed to protect food donors and the public consuming that food.

Oranges in a dumpster at a farm.

How Much Food Does America Waste?

Today in the U.S. around 40% of the nation’s food supply is wasted according to the U.S. Food and Drug Association. We waste more food than any other country in the world–nearly 80 billion pounds every year reports Recycle Track Systems. 

That equates to around 219 pounds of food waste per person in the U.S.

Why do Businesses Throw Away Excess Food?

Every day businesses, families, or anyone could be wasting food for a variety of reasons. In the case of grocery stores, the issues stem from the high volume of deliveries that most stores have to take in and make room for reports Insider. There is not enough room in the store for all of the available products. Some things have to go. Even unexpired foods are disposed of if space needs to be made for incoming shipments.

The same Insider article finds that although some businesses and individuals alike may have thought about donating their leftovers, they are concerned about liability when they give food away for free. Plus, many believe that they can be sued if the food or beverage that they provide ends up getting someone sick. Even if it was previously determined that the food was safe to consume.

People Who Donate Food are Protected by Law

Under the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act of 1996 (42 U.S. Code § 1791), this federal law protects anyone from liability when donating food in “good faith” to a non-profit organization that feeds people in need. 

Additionally, the act provides limited liability protection for both civil and criminal. Namely for those who distribute food and groceries, such as food banks and soup kitchens.

“In order to receive protection under the act, a person or gleaner must donate in good faith apparently wholesome food or apparently fit grocery products to a nonprofit organization for ultimate distribution to needy individuals. It does not cover direct donations to needy individuals or families. The act also provides protection against civil and criminal liability to the nonprofit organizations that receive such donated items in good faith,” writes Jean Buzby, of the USDA Food Loss and Waste Liaison.

Law Encourages People to Donate Food

The law was signed to encourage businesses and individuals alike to donate their excess food. With overstocking and excess shipments of food, the opportunity is there for businesses and consumers alike to make sure that all extra food does not go to waste.

In addition, the Bill Emerson Act also sets a standard of how to give when able and lessens the worry of any potential donors. 

“All fifty states have additional food donation statutes that limit food donors’ liability. These laws currently vary widely, such as by who (i.e., donors, nonprofit organizations), and what foods and food products receive coverage. The Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of Legal Counsel has interpreted the Act as preempting state laws that provide less liability protection to donors,” continues Buzby, of the USDA.

A full list of the Good Samaritan laws can be found here and here.

Moreover, it’s important to remember some of the key terms that tie to the law to fully comprehend its extent. For example, food, donate, gleaner, and grocery product all have their own definitions to help guide any potential donors to take action comfortably.

Who receives coverage under the Good Samaritan Act?

Below you’ll find a chart from the USDA explaining who receives coverage under the law when donating food.

Plates of dinner using donated ingredients at Blanchet House.

Nonprofits Rescue Surplus Food

Many nonprofit organizations have found ways to salvage some of this surplus food and get it to people who need it. 

One organization, Blanchet House, a free cafe in Portland takes in an average of  30,000 pounds of soon-to-expire food from local restaurants, grocery stores, wholesalers, and bakeries every month.

Rescued foods allow Blanchet House to provide thousands of meals daily to people feeling food insecure. Included are those who may be houseless, living in their cars, and unable to cook for themselves because of disabilities. In addition, people who have limited income for food. Regardless of the reason, anyone can eat in the organization’s free cafe. 

Donate These Types of Food With Law

Some examples of foods that Blanchet House can take in include: 

• Unopened catering, and 
• Unopened unexpired cans, 
• and packages. 
• Fruit
• Vegetables
• Dairy products
• Bread
• Unexpired meat

Because of these laws, many nonprofits can now accept donated food. In Portland, we have quite a few local nonprofit organizations that provide food to those in need of a meal. 

A list of nonprofits in Portland that accept donated food:

• Blanchet House
• Urban Gleaners
• Portland Rescue Mission
• Oregon Food Bank
• SnowCap Community Charities
• Sunshine Division

The Good Samaritan Law is here to protect food donors who give with good intentions, eliminate waste of food, and most importantly get food to people who need it. It is possible to feed people struggling to access nutritious meals by taking in donations of surplus food from grocery stores, businesses, and wholesalers. 

-Written by CJ Smith. CJ is an intern with Blanchet House.

Please know that the information presented is not a guidance document and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship.

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Blanchet House partners with Portland-based company Pioneer Wiping Cloth to recycle clothes we cannot give out into cleaning cloths.

By Etta Moen

As an organization offering to clothe people experiencing homelessness, Blanchet accepts clothing from caring donors. It’s a big job to take in and sort clothing. Volunteers are needed to sort the clothing, share it with peer aid groups, and distribute it to people without access to laundry.

Consequently, it is a personal challenge of mine to build a better system. A system that allows staff to quickly find items requested by our houseless guests waiting in the rain and cold outside.

FACT: 62,810 pounds of clothes were donated to Blanchet House in 2021

Staff like me and volunteers must keep up with mounting piles that often contain unwearable clothing. Clothes that are torn, dirty, or inappropriate for use must be disposed of somehow. Blanchet House is unable to launder or mend clothes. Furthermore, storage is limited so we must keep seasonally appropriate clothes on hand and remove out-of-season clothing. For example, shorts, tank tops, flip flops, or swimsuits will not help our houseless guests from winter weather.

To keep unusable clothes out of landfills I sought a partner that can recycle clothes in an environmentally friendly way.

Bales of mixed rags at Pioneer Wiping Cloth. Pioneer recycles clothes into cleaning cloths for industrial use. (Courtesy Pioneer Wiping Cloth)

Recycle Clothes into Cleaning Cloths

I discovered Pioneer Wiping Cloth, a local business that’s been operating since 1931. They turn clothes that we send them into rags for industrial cleaning. Pioneer cuts, cleans, bales, then sell the cloth by the pound to businesses that need an economical alternative for maintenance.

“It’s amazing. The fact that clothing is being made into something useful gives us the opportunity to take in more clothing and the ability to move it along in a sustainable way,” says Jennifer Ransdell, Blanchet House’s Services Coordinator.

Sustainability in All Areas

Clothing is not the only way Blanchet practices sustainable methods. Similar to how we aspire to eliminate clothing waste, we also work to maintain a nearly zero food waste kitchen and operate from an energy-efficient LEED Certified Platinum building.

Blanchet House does its absolute best to re-donate, recycle, and repurpose food and clothing so nothing is wasted. However, we need donors to understand that while we have a more sustainable way to discard items the process is labor-intensive.

Jackets shared with Hygiene 4 All await selection by guests experiencing homelessness. Hygiene 4 All offers showers at their location under the Morrison Bridge. (Courtesy Hygiene 4 All)

Frequently, I am overwhelmed by the generosity of donors. And I don’t want to discourage people from giving to us. We ask that donors think about the items they intend to donate.

• Will they be useful to someone who is living outside?
• Will the items be helpful to someone starting a job that requires them to be on their feet all day?
• Are they seasonally appropriate?

 

In addition, having the ability to recycle clothes makes the process of sorting clothing much easier. Especially with limited space. We no longer have to scramble to find a place to put things. This recycling program adds to the legacy of sustainability that Blanchet House has created.

“We honor the labor and resources it takes from the Earth to create things. We are trying our hardest to use everything that we can,” says Ransdell. “No one wants to throw things away because you don’t need them anymore. You try and find a use for them.”

A donor drops off bags of used clothing at Blanchet House. (Photo by Jon Seibert)

How to Donate Clothes

You can donate new or gently used clothing Monday to Saturday, from 8-10:30 a.m. or 1:30-4 p.m. See a list of most needed items by season. Questions? Email us at info@blanchethouse.org.

Moen is an intern at Blanchet House and a graduate of Lewis and Clark College.

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Donate Used Clothing to Blanchet House

We invite you to donate adult-sized seasonally appropriate new or gently used clothing for our staff to give out at our downtown Portland location. See the list of most needed seasonal items. You can also shop Blanchet House’s Amazon wish list for bulk items.

View clothing lists

Once Homeless Portlanders Talk About Receiving Used Clothing

“I always tried to dress nice when I was homeless,” says Jordan Shahrazi, who once experienced homelessness in Portland. “It was important to me. To look clean.”

People experiencing homelessness have a near-daily need for clean and protective clothing because they cannot access laundry services or get a break from the outdoor elements. While the need for clothes and sleeping essentials is urgent people still want to look good and maintain their self-respect.

Read story

Volunteer to Sort Donated Used Clothing 

Blanchet House takes in tons of used clothing every year and relies on volunteers to sort, label, and give out needed items. Volunteer shifts are available Monday to Saturday, morning and afternoon, to help in the clothing closet. Sign-up is done online using our web-based training system and scheduler.

Sign up to volunteer

Why I Hosted a Drive to Donate Used and New Clothing

I decided to do this drive because although Portland is not known for having the coldest winters compared to other cities, in recent years it is not uncommon to receive snow, ice and frigid temperatures. I wanted to help the expanding number of people I see on the street each day, and while this small gesture won’t come close to solving the whole problem, it may bring a bit of comfort to the individuals who are living out in the cold.

Read more

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