How does Tarrant Area Food Bank make sure the food it distributes is safe to eat?
Much of the food received from food companies is in unopened cases and shrink-wrapped in stacks on pallets. That food does not have to be inspected before it is distributed. Food from food drives and unsold product from grocery shelves goes through Quality Control in our warehouse. There, volunteers sort, inspect and pack food items into boxes for distribution to our partner hunger-relief charities. All volunteers are instructed on what to look for to determine if food in a can or box is still good or if it has been contaminated and must be discarded. Experienced Food Bank staff members supervise the volunteers.
