​The Guilford Food Bank is a member of the CT Food bank and the following is their guidelines for food safety. The GFB asks that items with expired dates not be donated.  Please check expiration dates before you pack the bag if coming from your pantry. We do not want to appear ungrateful,  however our policy is to not distribute  past date food items.  Thank you, we appreciate your understanding & your generosity.

CANNED FOODS:
Discard…All home canned foods.
All rusted cans.
Cans with any severe dents).
Cans with bulging or puffed ends.
Leaking cans.
Cans with spills or stains from an unknown source.
Cans with missing food labels.

BABY FOODS AND FORMULA:
DO NOT USE BABY FORMULA PAST THE EXPIRATION DATE!
Discard…
All baby foods and formula 1 month BEFORE the expiration date.
All baby foods with opened jars or evidence of tampering.
Baby cereal with opened, punctured or torn packages.

​DRY PACKAGED FOODS:
Discard…Dry foods with opened, punctured or torn inner packages.
Punctured, torn, opened or otherwise damaged containers of dry foods.
Packages with rodent droppings, bugs or insects.
Packages with rodent gnaw (teeth) markings.
Packages with missing food labels.
Packages with spills or stains from an unknown source.

OTHER:
Discard…All home prepared foods.
All repackaged foods.
All moldy and opened packages of bread, cheese, fruits and vegetables.
All goods with questionable color, odor or texture.
All food packaged in garbage liners.

Expiration or “Use By” date: Last day the product should be eaten or used for assured quality. Phrase most often used: ”Do not use after (date),“
                                                   Includes baby formula and baby foods.
 
Freshness or “Sell By” date: Last recommended date of sale that allows ample home storage time. Phrase most often used: “Sell by (date)”
                                                  Includes milk, yogurt, and eggs.
 
“Best if Used By” date: Date after which a product is not likely to be at peak quality or flavor.
                                         Includes prepared packaged foods, Rice/Soy Dream, and most dry goods.
 
Interpreting dates
 
Product                                                    Throw out after
Milk*                                                         4 – 7 days past stamped date                                                                                                                              
 
Yogurt*                                                    7 – 10 days passed stamped date
 
Soft Cheeses *                                        1 week past stamped date    
(cottage, cream, ricotta)               
 
Hard Cheeses*                                       3 – 4 weeks past stamped date
   (such as cheddar)                
 
Luncheon meat*                                    4 – days unopened, 3 – 5 days if opened
                                                               
Powdered milk*                                     6 months past date if refrigerated
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Eggs*                                                        3 – 5 weeks past stamped date
 
Dry cereal                                                6 – 12 months unopened
 
Food in jars                                             12 months past stamped date
 
Canned foods
      Acidic; (e.g., tomato products )         12-18 months past stamped
      Non-acidic; (vegetables, soups)        2 – 5 years past stamped
 
Bread products                                          7 days after date, if refrigerated at first sign of mold

Rice/pasta (dry)                                         1 year after receiving
 
                  *All refrigerated products must be kept at 40º F  or cooler at all times

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