At this time of year, many charities ask for donations that can
be provided to needy families in the form of Christmas hampers.
Other charities are preparing to serve holiday meals to the poor
and homeless. Many offices and apartment buildings encourage people
to put food bank donations under a Christmas tree. What these
charities and donors may not realize is that most Canadian
provinces have passed special laws to encourage food donations.
Some of these laws provide food donors with protection from
lawsuits, while others offer special tax incentives for farmers who
donate food.
Food donor protection laws – Protection for donors and
distributors
Sometimes charities and donors worry about the risk that
something may go wrong with donated food or that distributing food
creates liability risks. Charities that receive donations of food
approaching its "best before" date may be reluctant to
pass it on to food banks or to put it into food hampers, fearing
that to do so
