Behind every rescued gallon of milk or box of cereal is someone who made a conscious choice: to give instead of toss.

At Target stores across Boulder and Broomfield Counties, that choice happens every day. Thanks to a strong partnership with Community Food Share, produce managers and store teams are rethinking what it means to fight hunger and making sure quality food doesn’t go to waste.

Donation as a Daily Practice

Target’s commitment to food donation is embedded in how they do business. Every time an item nears its sell-by date or has a cosmetic imperfection—think dented cereal boxes or a six-pack with one bottle missing. Craig’s team at the Target in Superior doesn’t hesitate.

“If I know something’s not gonna sell, I’d rather donate it ahead of time, even if it still has a long shelf life,” Craig explains.

With policies that now allow donations up to a week past expiration (for eligible items), and a team culture built around dignity and care, Target now donates 97% of eligible food scanned for donation.

“Guests see what we sell—but they don’t always realize how much we give. And it’s quality stuff, still good. We’d rather it feed someone than sit in the back.”

A Culture of Care

Donation at Target isn’t just about policies. It’s about people. When leadership from Target’s district offices visited, they emphasized this point by pulling donatable food from the trash—not to punish staff, but to help them improve.

That same philosophy drives day-to-day decisions, too.

“Put yourself in the shoes of a family in need,” Craig says. “Would you take a dented box of cereal? Of course. So we donate it.”

Craig has seen firsthand the effect this food has on families, especially when it reaches them quickly and with dignity. And thanks to Community Food Share’s Retail to the Rescue program, it often does—sometimes landing in a neighbor’s pantry the very same day.

“The community here is incredibly passionate about food donations,” Craig adds. “And knowing our food goes to over 40 agencies through Community Food Share? That’s real impact.”

Trust, Gratitude, and More Giving

It’s a cycle built on respect: the store team pulls food, the driver arrives with a smile, and the donations make their way to the people who need them most.

Food is food. And everyone deserves it.

At Target, that belief drives more than just donations—it drives a deeper commitment to community, sustainability, and doing the right thing, even when no one’s watching.

Because when a family in Boulder County sits down to a fresh meal made possible by a rescued box of cereal or tray of produce, it’s thanks to a team that made a choice.

To give. Not throw away.

“It’s about people,” Craig says. “If we can donate instead of toss, that’s always the right choice.”

How You Can Play a Role

The Retail to the Rescue Program starts with store employees like Craig, ensuring quality food is able to stay out of the trash and set aside to donate. But in order to have the resources needed to pick up and distribute the food from our retail partners, we need your help. Your support ensures we can keep our trucks on the road and food out of landfills, rescuing thousands of pounds of groceries every week.

Donate today and help save food, feed our neighbors, and protect the environment from the harmful emissions of food waste.