Time
Food stored longer than the recommended shelf life can spoil, harbor harmful bacteria, and can become unfit for consumption. When you pick up donations, check the expiration dates on the packages. Most restaurant expiration dates are conservative, but mistakes happen, so check the date and inform your agency supervisor if you suspect that food you picked up may be quite old. In addition, bacteria multiply quickly at temperatures between 40° and 140° F (4° and 60° C). The longer the food goes without refrigeration, the more likely that the temperature of the food will rise to levels that foster bacterial growth. Keep track of the time required to transport donations, monitor the temperature of the food and keep it at or below 40° Fahrenheit (4° Celsius) throughout transport.