Has anyone ever asked their Reception Hall to donate the leftovers to Island Harvest or City Harvest?
I have read ina c ouple of books to ask the halls to do it, and there are special requirements, but I was wondering if the halls would be into this?
ChristineC68
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Re: Donating Left Over Food?
I asked and my hall said they couldnt do it. I dont remember the reason why though.
shelzyp
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Where did you have your reception?
NIHA
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My hall donates to an organization, but not sure if it was that one. We asked if we could take leftovers home and they said no, b/c it's sitting out and not at the right temp.
michele31
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Many halls will NOT donate food because a) the food is left out too long b) packing it up would take time and resources and c) many organizations do not want pre-cooked food products. They want canned goods or wrapped food. What if someone 'put' something in the food or it spolied and someone got sick? The halls do not want to take responsiblity.
shelzyp
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My mom is the Director of School lunch, and Island Harvest takes thier left over food, even though it is cooked.
jms0176
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I used to work for Island Harvest. If your catering hall said no, they must not know about food rescue. Many catering halls will say no either if they feel it's too much of a liability or if they feel it's too time consuming to put the left overs in a tray and freeze them. Both organizations are very safety conscious and ensure that the food is handled properly. Plus all the donors are covered by the Good Samaritan Law. WHile I worked there, there was NEVER a case where someone got sick and complained to the donor.
In my experience, most donors try to use that as an excuse for just not wanting to give the food away. If you are on Long Island, call IH at 516-294-3558 (I'm pretty sure that's the #. Like I said, I don't work there any more.) Or try www.islandharvest.org. They will contact the caterer for you and help you out. City Harvest only covers Queens westward. They won't come to Long Island.
shelzyp
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I checked the website the # is 516-294-8528
jms0176
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Michele-
You are actually misinformed. Many organizations want prepared food over canned and packaged foods. Group homes, day habs, and senior centers all want prepared foods.
If it is handled properly and frozen after the wedding, it can be safely reheated and served to those in need.
I just wanted to clear that up in case other brides were thiking of donating their wedding food to an organization like City Harvest or Island Harvest. Taking food yourself and just dropping it off somewhere is a bad idea. In that circumstance, yes, you could make someone very sick.
shelzyp
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I am on the phone with them right now, they are giving me the information.
Thanks jms0176
shelzyp
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They say that they will take food that is prepared by a caterer, not food that is prepared in your own home.
But I need to call th caterer first.
shelzyp
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Well I don't think Villa's is going to do it. She said the BOH won't let them release any of the cocktail hour food, but she is checking on the entrees.
THis stinks, it really bothers me to have lal this food go to waste!!
michele31
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Re: Donating Left Over Food?
I am just repeating what my hall told me about why they do donate food. I asked was told NO for the reasons I stated above.
