ckatNM said:There are private organizations that will accept produce. But there are a lot of places that will give only canned or processed goods to the homeless and low-income. One of the reasons is that they store better. It is much more difficult to meet demand with fresh produce. If the stuff is warehoused, they can dole it out gradually. And companies making donations can have the goods transported to their organization of choice and not just the nearest one or the one that has the most demand for donations.
Some organizations receive government funding, and the government has even more restrictions that are so rigid that more food is thrown away than given to those who need it. Their attitude is that the needy should be grateful for any food they are given. If you are diabetic, have allergies, or have other health issues, you get the same food as everyone else, regardless. If you can't eat something, you just keep your mouth shut and wait for the next meal, or go elsewhere. Even if you have to stand in long lines in the freezing cold just to find out you can't eat the food offered.
There is also the lawyer factor, but it really depends on which organization you are dealing with. Not all private organizations are willing to comply when the result is people going hungry or suffering through health issues trying to eat food that is contraindicated for their medical issues.
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