DH is using community pantry for free food

A community pantry/fridge isn't a food bank. It's specifically to stop the huge amounts of food that supermarkets would otherwise throw away and is 'surplus' ie the supermarkets can no longer sell it and it would go in the bin. Our community fridge also runs a monthly 3 course meal where you pay what you can afford. We use the community fridge, they have strict rules on how much each person can take so OP's husband isn't depriving anyone. You get told how many items for each person and then normally they have loads of veg and bread that you can take more of. They also have a collection pot for loose change etc which goes towards running the collection vans etc so we put money in there as well. He really shouldn't feel guilty as the food literally goes in the bin otherwise. For those who feel he shouldn't be doing this, it isn't a food bank, anyone can go. People in food poverty are referred to the food bank and that tends to be food that isn't perishable or on short dates.

He’s using it exactly as it is supposed to be used. It is usually good that is about to go out of date that wouldn’t be accepted by a food bank. It’s a great scheme to reduce food waste. The one near me is also a pay what you can cafe. Food is donated by businesses, not individuals.

A community pantry is to reduce waste. If he's only going once a week I can't see the problem.

Community pantries are for whoever wants to use them.
It's about saving food from waste.
Totally different to a food bank.

I think he is fine to take it - food waste pantries specifically deal with things that are just about to go off or are OK but past their sell-by date, so need any person available to turn up today and eat them before they have to go in the bin anyway. They do save food waste if you end up buying less yourself because you have got some food in from the pantry, but they also save the superstores money in disposal costs whilst green/charity-washing them.

Food banks specifically don't deal in these goods because needing to use a foodbank should still come with the dignity of not being forced to eat leftovers and nearly-spoiled food! (Choosing to do so to be eco-minded being a different matter).

How interesting. It sounds like this is a community version of yellow stickers in shops, bargains to avoid food waste. I had this same conversation recently with my mum, who avoids yellow stickers as she feels they’re for those in need, whereas I feel like it’s a discount free for all and may go entirely to waste otherwise. If you’re not in deprived area and most people are from a similar financial background, I don’t see any problem.

We have a couple of similar food pantry’s locally and they actively encourage everyone to come along regardless of background.
They need the footfall to stay open and it de stigmatises it so people who do really rely on it don’t feel too embarrassed to come along.
I volunteer with the organisation that host one of them and there’s always enough left over that we’re always getting sent home with stuff.

Obviously I’m assuming he’s taking a sensible amount and not clearing the shelves/ taking more than you can use

So there is no problem then, is there? He is using the service correctly. Do you never eat anything that he brings home either?

Why? It’s not a food bank

The whole point of a community pantry is that anyone can use it to prevent food waste.

Your DH is using it for its' intended purpose. YABU.

This exactly. If there’s stuff that is going to waste and no one is going to eat it apart from you, dig in. He is helping everyone by taking it and reducing food waste. Crazy that you can’t see this.

Community pantries are very different from food banks, they are to cut down food waste which is something we should all be involved with. I have a friend who volunteers for one and is always bringing me round crates of fruit and veg for jam/chutney/processing and freezing/whatever.

I use them all and certainly don't feel as though I'm depriving anyone!

Edited for typo!

I wouldn't use a scornful phrase like "the poor folks" (wtf), but the fact is that yes, some people, sometimes, really rely on the yellow sticker discounts to get by. And another fact is that the yellow stickers are limited. So logically, if a wealthy person buys up the yellow sticker items, then someone else who needs it might miss out.

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??

Is it intended to be a food bank to provide for people in food poverty, or is it intended for anyone to ensure food doesn't get wasted?

Our town has about 3 different community food options, all saving food waste. It is frightening how much can go to waste

Ahh see I think the OP's husband shouldn't of taken anything but I every Sunday I buy my dog a reduced chicken 😅

So what is the problem with your DH using it in the way it is intended to be used? This idea that things should be left just in case a "poor person" happens to come along is just weird. Supermarkets don't ask for your P60 when you buy yellow stickers, charity shops don't ask your salary when buying from them, and neither do apps like Olio or Too good to go.

We should ALL be doing what we can to reduce food waste and all other sorts of waste too.

Donate to the food bank in his name for his Xmas gift 😉

He goes once a week. That does not sound excessive to me.

That's ridiculously tight. I would take money out of his part of the family budget and buy replacements or give a financial donation on his behalf!

It’s a community pantry not a foodbank

There was a post on here where someone said she bought yellow ticket meat for her dog. She was flamed into the depths of Hell.

Slightly depends on the remit of the pantry and how much food they are getting through the doors. I’d feel a bit embarrassed to be using it in your situation although I do love the Too Good to Go app. I’d probably steer him towards that or an evening shop in Waitrose / M&S foods to pick up some yellow stickered items if he’s keen on a bargain.

Alternatively he could volunteer to help run it