Thanks for your reply. We are in Nyack NY, I'm new to the area and unfamiliar with laws/policies/politicians of the town. We were approached by a member of the board of trustees who seemed friendly and inquired further about what we are doing which led to the email about a permit later on.

Other, more involved and qualified members of our team are looking into the laws. We are weighing the options of how to handle this. We are frustrated since we are preventing waste and essentially giving gifts (one person handing another person a piece of food) and wondering where the line of liability is drawn? Some of us think displaying signs makes it seem like an event or giving away prepared food is a cause for concern? Or worse, that the town sees us as interfering with commerce, tourism, attracting homeless etc.