71-Z - Liability for canned, perishable food or farm products distributed free of charge. - New York Statutes

§ 71-z. Liability for canned, perishable food or farm products distributed free of charge. 1. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a good-faith donor of any canned or perishable food, farm product, game or wild game, apparently fit for human consumption, to a bona fide charitable or nonprofit organization, for free distribution, shall not be subject to criminal penalty or civil damages arising from the condition of the food, if the said donor reasonably inspects the food at the time of donation and finds the food apparently fit for human consumption and unless the donor has actual or constructive knowledge that the food is adulterated, tainted, contaminated or harmful to the health or well-being of the person consuming said food. Such good-faith donor shall include, but not be limited to, public food service establishments. 2. This section includes the good faith donation of canned or perishable food or farm products not readily marketable due to appearance, freshness, grade, surplus or other considerations, but shall not be deemed or construed to restrict the authority of any lawful agency to otherwise regulate or ban the use of such food for human consumption. 3. A not-for-profit charitable organization shall provide liability insurance to persons engaged in gleaning activities organized or sponsored by such charitable organization.