DH is using community pantry for free food

It’s true that a community pantry is different to a food bank. But both are still aimed at those who need a bit of a helping hand. If people who’ve got plenty of money get stuff from community pantry that’s denying those who would truly genuinely appreciate it.
I used to massive.y benefit from a community pantry. I was unemploat the time. Not desperate enough to be eligible for a food bank but definitely needing to save money. I don’t need that help now so I bypass it and leave it for those whose need is greater than mine.
If you’ve got plenty of funds available you dh’s happy finds are denying others who are in need and would appreciate the goodies so much more.

If it's there to cut food waste, I'd be there too. Everyone - regardless of salary - should be trying to reduce waste.

Where my mum lives the local food pantry frequently gets left over boxes from the nearby Hello Fresh distribution centre.
Big piles of them that need to be gone asap because the food is fresh. An actual food bank won't want them because they don't take fresh food.
A message is put on local Facebook and literally anyone can go grab one.
I do believe they restrict to one or two boxes per person but that's it.

@GoAwayNaughtyPigeon so some of the food still goes in the bin so they need more people to take it

So you would rather most of the food end up in the bin than people take it and use it?

Christ people calm down.
It is NOT a food bank.
Its to stop.food waste. Meaning ANYONE can get food there, its not based on how much money you have in your bank

Our town has one and they dont care who goes there. All the stuff is todays date so all needs eating today

I havent been there, because it doesnt seem right although i am actually on benefits, ill and over drawn but anyome can get food from there rich or otherwise

Tell him every time he comes back with his "free food" you'll be donating double it's worth to the food pantry from the joint account so it will no longer be free.

I think your DHs attitude to it is weird and he's taking the piss tbh

There is a community pantry attached to a church I often visit for playgroups, and occasionally my DD will take a piece of fruit from it after playgroup. But I only allow her to because I 1. Know that half the food gets discarded anyway 2. It's one single pear/apple/whatever. 3. I explain to her the pantry is there to stop food waste and to help people who aren't as lucky as us, so we should only take something small and leave everything else for someone who needs it more than us. 4. I also donate back to the pantry or other similar community support networks particularly around helping underprivileged new parents

I still expect most of it ends up in the bin though based on what the volunteers tell me... they do sometimes tell people at the playgroup to pleeeeeease take some of the brown manky bananas which I do oblige and make banana bread 😂

Based on passive aggressive FB posts there are some people in my area who take the p* though

So basically the same as the Olio app where local volunteers collect supermarket food and give out? Nothing wrong with that - if you feel bad make a small donation to the local food bank as they’ll need it more than the waste hero’s.

I think it’s great he’s using it. I hate food waste and clothing waste, it’s great that communities are taking the initiative and trying to reduce it.

This thread is hilarious. IT’S NOT A FOOD BANK FOLKS!!

YABU OP. Your husband is doing exactly what a community pantry is designed for. He is taking food that would otherwise go to waste.

On the back of this thread, I have decided I will check out my local community fridge next week. I have never been.

I have no idea how they get it in but from my pov it can sit on the shelf there until someone needs it, and that person isn't me. I've known times in the past when I've had single digits of £ left in my account before payday and had to eat a random meal like baked beans on pasta. I'm not in that situation any more, not rolling in it but comfortable, and so I'll leave that community washing powder/tin of beans etc for someone else.

He isn't taking from people "in need".

Which bit of my reasoning do you disagree with? Or do you not believe that some people sometimes actually need those yellow sticker discounts to get by? You want to dismiss them as a myth??

But they are not restricted in that you have to prove your income to buy them. Anyone can pitch up at my local Asda around 7pm (which is when the reductions are done for stuff going out of date the following day) and fill their trolley. Me NOT buying a tray of chicken thighs or pack of sausages does not guarantee that the next person to come along will be on a low income. It just doesn't work like that, does it?

Of course I am going to buy half price food when I see it because the money is better in my pocket than in the supermarket's. We are not struggling for money by any stretch of the imagination but who ever wants to spend more than they have to?

Just to reiterate- community pantries are not food banks and don’t intend to filll the gap for those who can’t afford food. They are to stop food waste- and share, tbh.

I’ve set up 3- often it’s things like people who have a glut of apples in their garden, or they own a local food business and have some short lifted food to donate- it’s in no way intended to provide meals and isn’t set up in the choice or quantity to do so.

This is an incredibly unsexy act from him. Bargain hunting to the extent he (a high earner ) is taking food from people in need. Not hot.

My local food pantry really emphasises the anyone can use it point as it’s all about food waste as opposed to food banks, they always have stuff left over and post a lot on fb etc

I'm not going to try and dissuade you, it's clear we have a different outlook and values in this matter so it's best to leave it there.

@MumoftwoNC I assume that sort of stuff gets donated by community rather than supermarkets

YABU if it’s for anyone to access and to cut food waste. We have one near us and I haven’t been for a while but they charge a small fee 10p or 20p per item for the first 90 minutes and then it’s all free in the last half an hour they run it (its run for 2 hours a day). They still have to throw some of the food away and I live in Bradford which is one of the most deprived cities in the UK.

He is doing what you're meant to do with a Community Pantry.
Prince William could use one if he wanted too.

The community pantry in the next town advertises on Facebook. It's absolutely not aimed at any demographic, they just want to make sure that whatever Tesco gives them will be used. People I know are comfortably off have used it, grabbed a loaf for the freezer and a bag of apples when they pantry's begging people to take them. They make clear it isn't a food bank but a community initiative open to all.

Yellow sticker items are not reduced and on display for people who are struggling. They are first come, first served.
Sorry, but if I need leeks for a meal that night, and I see some reduced then it is utter madness to buy the full price ones.
You could say that charity shops should just be for people who can't afford new clothes.
Reducing food waste (any waste really) is a good thing.
People on the bones of their arse have access to food banks when needed etc.

And it's a bit silly to say it's all about reducing waste- at my local community pantry there's things like loo roll and washing powder as well and tins and jars. That stuff doesn't go off for years.

Sure you don't need to be referred, unlike at the food bank, but that doesn't mean you should go fill your designer handbag with free washing powder. See the bigger picture.

If you need it even a little bit, then absolutely, it is for you. Op's dh does not need it.