Help end hunger and steward our environment by giving your surplus food to food assistance organizations so they can help feed people in Montgomery County who experience hunger. Volunteer food runners will pick up your donated food and deliver it to where it can do the most good. You can donate on a regular schedule or request a one-time pickup. Follow the easy steps below to get started with our free food matching app, ChowMatch.

Sign-Up & Create a Profile
- Click on the ChowMatch button below, enter your email and create a password to sign up.
- Enter your business name. If you are a licensed Montgomery County food business, your account will be activated immediately. If not, your profile will be reviewed and you may be asked to provide additional information about your business to ensure food safety. You will be notified, usually within 48 hours, when your account is active.
Tip: Once you have created a profile, download the ChowMatch mobile app for Android or iPhone to post food runs from your smart phone.
Schedule Food Donations & Pick-Ups
You can post both one-time food donations and regular, weekly scheduled food donations. For regular donations, you only need to list your regular food runs once and update or cancel the run when something changes.
- Login to the ChowMatch app
TIP: For quick access, bookmark the ChowMatch login page and check “Keep me signed in” - Click on Donor dropdown menu ->schedule a food run. Follow the screen prompts including:
- List the date and time frame for the donation, donation amount, food categories, brief description of donation and any special instructions of where the volunteer picks up the food.
Tip: Food units can be listed as: pounds, tray= approx. 5lbs, or box= approx.40 lbs. (about the size of a banana box) - (Optional) Select the organization that you have an established relationship with. Start typing the name and choose from the dropdown menu (the recipient must already be part of the CFR network).
- List the date and time frame for the donation, donation amount, food categories, brief description of donation and any special instructions of where the volunteer picks up the food.
As soon as you post a food donation, the ChowMatch will match your donation in real time with a food assistance organization in the CFR network. You will receive the first of two emails confirming a match with a recipient organization. Next, an email food run request is sent to all the volunteer food runners in your vicinity. As soon as a volunteer accepts the run, the donation is scheduled and everyone is notified with details and contact information. If you need to cancel a scheduled run, you may do so under Donor>my food runs.
Prep for Delivery
- Refer to CFR’s Food Safety Guidelines (or download a PDF) about foods that can and cannot be donated, safe food packaging, labeling, and storage requirements.
- When the volunteer arrives, provide time/temp information about the food (if needed) and sign the tracking form.
- Download CFR Food Labels for prepared food that is not in its original packaging (download here).
What to Do After Donating
- Click on the checkmark icon. Electronically sign that the food has been handled according to CFR safe food handling practices.
- Click on the star icon. Rate your food run experience. Your feedback will improve the food run experience for everyone and helps CFR improve the system overall.
- Click on the pencil icon. Update the amount of food that was actually donated if it differs from the amount you posted. This information is used to accurately report the total amount of food that is being donated.
Tip: If you schedule a regular weekly food run, you only need to sign and rate your first run. You only need to update the amount of food donated if it differs from the estimated amount you initially entered.
Be Safe
Food Safety Guidelines for Donors
Read our County-approved Food Safety Guidelines for handling and transporting recovered food. Learn how the Good Samaritan Act protects food donors and recipient organizations from liability.


Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know what kinds of food I can donate and how to package food?
Why should I join CFR and use ChowMatch if I'm already donating food?
Is there a minimum donation?
Can individuals donate food or receive food?
- Bethesda Cares
- Shepherd’s Table, Silver Spring
- Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless, Gaithersburg
- Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless, Bethesda
Call about your donation before you drop off food.
Food donated through CFR only goes to food assistance recipient organizations, not directly to individuals. The recipient organizations then distribute donated food to their clients.
What if no food runner responds or a donation is not picked up?
How can I provide feedback about my experience?
TIP: Donors that post regular weekly food runs only asked to rate this run the first time. You can always contact the CFR administrator if you wish to report a problem or offer comments.
Are participants protected from liability if someone gets sick from eating donated food?
Can businesses take a tax deduction when they donate food?
How can a business that donates food get public recognition?
In addition, all participating businesses are encouraged to become nationally verified food donors through Food Recovery Verified.
Do you have information about the benefits of being a food donor?

Thank you!
We celebrate food donors and recipient organizations working together. Your business will be listed on the CFR website, in blog posts, E-newsletters and social media. Donors can also request a printer-friendly certificate that recognizes the organizations that receive their donated food. Participating businesses are also encouraged to become verified food donors through Food Recovery Verified.