(1) For purposes of this section:

Terms Used In Nebraska Statutes 25-21,189

  • Action: shall include any proceeding in any court of this state. See Nebraska Statutes 49-801
  • Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
  • Donor: The person who makes a gift.
  • Person: shall include bodies politic and corporate, societies, communities, the public generally, individuals, partnerships, limited liability companies, joint-stock companies, and associations. See Nebraska Statutes 49-801
  • State: when applied to different states of the United States shall be construed to extend to and include the District of Columbia and the several territories organized by Congress. See Nebraska Statutes 49-801
  • Tort: A civil wrong or breach of a duty to another person, as outlined by law. A very common tort is negligent operation of a motor vehicle that results in property damage and personal injury in an automobile accident.

(a) Food shall mean articles used for food or drink for humans or animals and articles used for components of any such article; and

(b) Raw agricultural product shall mean any food in its raw or natural state, including all fruits that are washed, colored, or otherwise treated in their unpeeled natural form prior to marketing.

(2) Notwithstanding any other provisions of the law of this state, any person who makes a good faith donation to a charitable or nonprofit organization of prepared or perishable food or raw agricultural products which appear to be fit for human consumption when donated shall not be liable for damages in any civil action for any injury or death because of the condition of such food unless the injury or death is a direct result of the gross negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct of the donor.

(3) Notwithstanding any other provisions of the law of this state, a charitable or nonprofit organization which in good faith receives and distributes, without charge, food which the organization reasonably determines to be fit for human consumption when distributed shall not be liable for damages in any civil action based on the doctrine of strict liability in tort for any injury or death because of the condition of such food.

(4) This section shall apply to all good faith donations of perishable food or raw agricultural products which are not readily marketable because of appearance, freshness, grade, surplus supply, or other conditions.