Sorting Guide

Food Finders Food Bank, Inc.

fighting hunger, giving hope

About Food Finders

Since 1981, Food Finders Food Bank, a member of Feeding America, has worked to provide full service programs that meet the nutritional needs of more than 170 nonprofit agencies in 16 counties across Mid-North Indiana. The food bank manages programs to secure additional food and nonfood products, provide food safety training, rescue food items otherwise wasted, and fund essential purchase product items. With the help of many, Food Finders continues each day to provide a hand up to those in need.

Food Finders works to eliminate hunger by providing food and essential non-food products to non-profit agencies that serve low income Hoosiers.

Food Finders Food Sorting Guide

Introduction
In 2011, Food Finders distributed over 6 million pounds of food throughout MidNorth Indiana; a 116% increase since 2008. This food comes from a variety of sources and in a variety of conditions. Proper sorting is not only important for organization, it is also essential to protecting peoples health. Damaged cans, ripped bags, and expired food can cause illness to any vulnerable population, especially children or the elderly. As a food sorter, your role helps to limit the spread of foodborne illness. Since there are so many food products to go through, you may find it tempting to speed through the sorting process. It may even seem a little complicated. However, with a little preparation, practice, and patience, you can go a long way towards keeping the food and the public, safer and healthier.

Sorting Steps:
1 Getting Started Sorting General Checking Expiration 4 Products 2 Dates Organizing and
5 Packing

Sorting and Checking

Getting Started

Goods that need sorting will be placed in the center of the room between the rows in wire bins or boxes on the pallets. Wipes are provided on the shelf in case of spills. Also, be sure to clean any dirty products before sorting into boxes. Check all packaging for signs of insects or rodent damage. If mouse droppings or insects are found in bags or crates of food, or if packaging looks chewed, discard the product and consult a Food Finders employee to check the remainder of the bin for damage.
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Food Finders Food Sorting Guide

Your Actions
Safety Information

Your Impact

Be sure to wash your hands before and after sorting the products.

What to do

Remove any dangling jewelry, key rings, or any other item that may
hang and get caught as you bend over and carry the food.

Wear closed toed shoes and make sure your shoes laces are tied. Be sure to move any tripping hazards from the working area and watch
out for forklifts and other equipment.

What not to do

Do h not be afraid to ask questions. Staff and other volunteers are happy to help.

remember:
Volunteer sorters are essential to Food Finders mission. Your time here directly impacts those in need of nutritional help in the community.

Checking Expiration Dates

Check the expiration date on each item. This is usually located on top of the packaging. If you are unable to read the date or cannot find one, the food must be thrown away, without exception.

The outer container may be torn or open, but the inside that actually contains the food product is intact. In this case, the food can still be used. If, however, the inner part is open or torn, the product must be thrown away. Likewise, all jars must have seals intact and show a valid expiration date and in the case of glass jars, the safety button on the lid must be down.

Food Finders Food Sorting Guide

Your Actions
Safety Information What to do
item.

Your Impact

Watch for leaking or open food containers. Expired food can cause food poisoning, which, in some cases, can even be fatal.

Make sure you locate and check the expiration date of each and every

What not to do

Do h not rush. There is always more food to sort, but checking for safe food is the most
important aspect of your time here.

remember:
When in doubt, throw it out! Make sure it is safe for recipients; this food ends up on dinner tables.

Sorting and Checking

Dents, Bulges, & Unusable Products

If dented, check the type of dentif severe and/or near the seal, dispose. Dented plastic can still be used if not damaged.

Discard Rusted Cans

Over time, the food can begin to react with the can. Additionally, the moisture in the air outside of the can cause harmful chemical reactions. This can lead to the appearance of rust. According to the FDA, rust should be avoided if found along the rim of the can or in large quantities. Rust can eat tiny holes into the can, allowing bacteria to seep in and grow. Additionally, air can change the texture and taste of the food and can even lower its nutritional value.

Food Finders Food Sorting Guide

Discard Unlabeled Cans

Food that is not labeled or that does not have the ingredients listed cannot be used. If you come across this while sorting, put the item in the dumpster. Foods without nutritional information, even if they still have a printed expiration date, cannot be sorted. Unlisted ingredients can cause people to have serious allergic reactions.

Discard Damaged Cans

The danger in keeping severely bulging or dented cans is that dents or bulges could have tiny holes in them. As with rust these holes can lead to bacteria growing in the cans, which can lead to serious illnesses such as botulism and salmonella. Botulism can cause blurred vision, muscle weakness, and even paralysis of the limbs and respiratory muscles. Minor bumps to the cans are acceptable.
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Damaged Cans That are usable

Dented cans that do not have a broken seal can be placed in the box. It is important to remember that food needs to be in secure packaging.

Shallow dents in canned foods can be sorted and are safe to use. Be sure to check and make sure the label is intact and food is not leaking from the can at the seams. When in doubt, throw it out!
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Food Finders Food Sorting Guide

Your Actions

Your Impact

Low Acid and High Acid Foods

Very often, the expiration of a product is dependent on the amount of acid in the food. Low-acid foods tend to have a longer shelf life (between 2-5 years), while high-acid foods have a shorter shelf life (between 12-18 months). As the FDA states, in all foods, but especially in high-acid foods like canned tomatoes, natural chemicals in the food continually react with the container.

Per the FDA

Low Acid Canned Food Examples

Meat and poultry Soups (except tomato) (noodle and pasta) products (without tomato) Spaghetti Beans High Acid Canned Food Examples

Citrus-based fruits and fruit juices (pinapples, peaches, oranges, etc.) Tomatoes and tomato products (soup included) and apple products Apples Pickles Sauerkraut Foods treated with vinegar-based sauces (German potato salad and
sauerbraten)

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Sorting General Products

Find the appropriate container for each item, using the placards on the boxes as a guide. Place product in box neatly. If unsure, consult the list of examples for each category.

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Food Finders Food Sorting Guide

Your Actions
Safety Information

Your Impact

Remember to wash hands as necessary throughout the sorting process.

What to do

If you are unsure of how to sort an item, ask a fellow volunteer. Stack cans instead of tossing or laying down in the box. Separate glass and aluminum containers in sorting boxes. For example,
tomato paste in cans and tomato sauce in glass jars cannot share a box.

What not to do

Do h not drop or toss food into the boxes. This can cause damage or can
make the boxes difficult to carry. cause contamination or injury.

Do not mix glass jars with canned products. The glass may break and

remember:
Pantries receive boxes of food based on their clients needs. Make every effort to sort food properly so clients receive the items they need.

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Organizing and Packing

Cans should be packaged uniformly, one level of cans per box. Other products can be packaged until the box is full. Remember that many volunteers, both here and at food pantries, are unable to lift heavy boxes.

Once the box is full, make sure the handle spaces are aligned. The handle spaces that align correctly will also be the same shape (circle matches circle, oval with oval, etc.)You should be able to grab the side handles without resistance.

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Food Finders Food Sorting Guide

Take a category slip from the sleeve located under the box and place inside the box on top.

Place the box onto the palette to be weighed.

Retrieve a new box from among the stack of empty boxes and place it in the empty space on the sorting line. Make sure the new box has a bottom.
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Your Actions
Safety Information

Your Impact

While sorting, you may lift several heavy boxes of food and other donated material. It is important to do this safely to avoid injury, especially to your back. Even though lifting one box incorrectly may not hurt, doing this repetitively can cause sore, pulled muscles or other more serious back injuries. Being aware of these steps now will make proper lifting a habit, helping you to avoid injuries in the future.

Steps for Safe Lifting 1. Check the box. Do not attempt to lift if the box is too heavy or
awkward. If the box is too heavy, it is too full. 2. Feet should be shoulder width apart for good balance. work.

3. Bend at the knees, keep your back straight. Let your legs do the 4. Stand up straight and do not jerk. 5. Keep your elbows close to your sides while lifting and carrying. 6. Do not twist at the waist while carrying a heavy load. 7. When setting the box down, you should bend, not stoop. If placing
it on a higher surface, rest it on the edge then slide into place.

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Food Finders Food Sorting Guide

What to do

If h a box is too heavy, it is too full. Unload a few items from your box
and ask anyone else you see struggling with heavy bozxes to do the same. picking up the box.

Make sure all pathways are clear of debris or tripping hazards before Take regular breaks to avoid overexertion.

What Not to do

Do not stack palates more than five boxes high. Do not overfill boxes. Many volunteers here and at the pantries cannot
carry extremely heavy boxes.

Do not twist at the waist while carrying a heavy box. Pivot with your
feet.

remember:
Bend with your knees, not your back. Lift with your strong leg muscles, not with your weaker back muscles. You may carry many boxes while volunteering be sure to lift and carry safely every time.

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Website: Food-Finders.org Phone: 765-471-0062 50 Olympia Court, Lafayette, INDIANA 47909