PERFORMING DANA

Once we have offered to the Sangha,  the food no longer belongs to you, so you must not touch the food again  until the Sangha has completed and  relinquished the food. Offer  unconditionally, do not have any
expectation from the act of giving.

Whether the monks partake the food  or not is not important and one  should not be disappointed if the food is not eaten. 

Giving must be accompanied by three wholesome qualities i.e. unconditional  giving (no expectation), simplicity (not  attached to whatever form is given)  and not being calculative (competing  for merits).

One is mindful and happy in the beginning, middle and end. When  preparing food, one refrains from getting angry if certain  food cannot be cooked or purchased. When cooking, one  puts in effort, mindfulness and  concentration and does not  allow the mind to wander elsewhere. After the dana, one is happy and shares his merits to all beings.