After a wedding, a festival or a big family lunch, there is often more food than anyone can eat. Sharing it with a neighbour is a kind way to avoid waste. But food needs more care than a chair or a book, so a few simple habits matter.

What is usually safe to share

• Sealed, packaged food that is within its expiry date
• Fresh fruit and vegetables
• Freshly cooked food that was prepared hygienically and has not been sitting out

What you should not share

• Anything past its date, or food that smells, looks or tastes wrong
• Food that has been left at room temperature for more than 2 hours, or more than 1 hour in very hot weather. Kerala’s heat and humidity make this especially important.
• Dishes that spoil quickly, such as cooked rice, or anything made with milk, eggs, meat or fish, unless they were kept hot or refrigerated
• Food you would not be willing to eat yourself

Pack it properly

• Use clean, dry containers with tight lids: steel, glass or food-grade plastic
• Keep gravy and dry items in separate containers
• Do not reuse containers that once held non-food items
• Keep cold food cold until the moment of handover

Label it honestly

In your listing, say what the food is and whether it is vegetarian or non-vegetarian. List the main ingredients, especially common allergens such as peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, wheat, soy, fish and shellfish. Add the date and time it was cooked and how it has been stored. People with allergies depend on this information.

Plan the handover

• Pick a time when the receiver can collect it soon, not hours later
• Meet at your gate or in a public, well-lit place
• Never leave food outside unattended
• Mark the listing as taken as soon as it is collected

If you are the one receiving

• Check the smell, look and temperature. If you have any doubt, do not eat it.
• Eat it soon, or refrigerate it straight away
• Take only what you will actually use

A note on responsibility

GiftAway does not inspect or guarantee any food, so sharing is at your own risk. Use your judgement, and read our safety and pickup tips before your first pickup.

Got extra food today? Post it on GiftAway and let someone nearby enjoy it.