Person posting
Describe the food honestly
State what it is, the approximate amount, preparation or opening history when relevant, packaging, current storage, known allergens, and a realistic pickup deadline.
Food safety
Connection is not inspection.
Surplus displays information supplied by users. It does not inspect, certify, transport, or store listed food.
Decide at the handoffA collector should inspect the food and can decline it if the description or condition is unsuitable.
Clear responsibility
Each person owns a different part of the exchange.
A public, no-account service needs especially plain boundaries. Convenience must not imply that Surplus guarantees the food.
Person posting
Keep control until pickup
Store the food appropriately, provide a safe collection point, answer reasonable questions, and remove the listing immediately if the food is no longer available.
Person collecting
Confirm you can complete the pickup
Do not request food speculatively. Make sure you can arrive before the deadline and have the transportation, people, containers, and storage you need.
Person collecting
Inspect before accepting
Check the food and packaging at handoff. Ask questions and reject anything that is damaged, inconsistent with the listing, or unsuitable for your intended use.
Surplus
Protect and operate the listing service
Hide private pickup details from the public, expire old listings, record connection requests, provide reporting controls, and respond to credible misuse.
Local rules still apply.
Permitted food categories, time and temperature controls, allergen practices, liability, and donation rules vary by location and circumstance. Before a real launch, qualified local food-safety and legal professionals must review the operating model.