DH is using community pantry for free food

You took the time to do a survey of a representative cross section of society? I doubt it.

I agree with this. [Edit: quote didn't quote - sorry - this relates to the above posts]

If it's Hubbub then its mission is very clear, it's an environmental focus organisation:

"Community fridges are a tried and tested way of reducing the environmental impact of food waste. Every year, the UK bins a shocking 6.4 million tonnes of edible food—worth a staggering £21 billion (WRAP, 2023). And if food waste were a country, it would be the third biggest emitter of greenhouse gases globally. Across the growing network, each fridge redistributes between one and four tonnes of surplus food per month, making the collective impact of the network huge.
However, they also do so much more: all across the UK, fridges have become the centre of the community. As well as stopping good food from going to waste, people can also take part in other activities, learning new skills such as how to grow or cook food, or simply drop in for a chat. In 2024 we supported over 100 community fridge sites to expand their offer to include community meals and cooking and growing workshops. In the context of rocketing food prices and widespread loneliness, many community fridges have also become a lifeline and valuable meeting place at the heart of their community."

https://hubbub.org.uk/community-fridge-network

If it's not Hubbub, but you're using similar wording then you're totally confusing people and need to rethink your marketing strategy. HTH 👌

Most people don't need the explanation. They understand what the purpose of the hubs are, through common sense rather than "well, it says I can go, so..."

Some funders don't care that people are hungry. It's not their primary objective to be perceived by. They just want to be seen to be "greener" so they sign up for the reducing food waste, reducing food miles narrative via community fridges. We apply for their funding on this basis. They hand it out to tick their box at their AGMs. We use the funding to feed more hungry people.

You don't have to like how it works. And yes, we crow on about the reduced food waste. But most people can easily understand that it's dressed up as one thing, but very much operates as a food bank.

I also volunteer at a Community Fridge which is also part of the Hubbub network and ours is open to anyone and I mean anyone.
We've had so much to share at some points that our volunteers have jumped onto buses waiting at the bus stop to try and give away the food.

Kindly, if the main purpose of your organisation isn't to reduce food waste, then you're sending out mixed messages and that's unfair.

Did you struggle with the part about other hubs stating this is across the board?

Bit "dense" eh?

Don’t expect people to read your subtext.

HE is BU.
That food should be for people who are desperately in need. He loves a yellow label-I get that. But taking it from a community pantry is like taking candy from a baby. Shame on him!

Community pantries are run differently to food banks, they are more geared up to prevent edible food being thrown away. However I would probably go at the end of the session so those that need the food have the first choice.

way to be dense. That’s YOUR one.
there are plenty of others who are genuinely to cut food waste and there are people above thread who confirmed.
not every place is exactly like your place of work

Lol.

Thanks for explaining how the organisation I'm part of works.

The reality is, we're effectively food banks for people who are too embarrassed to ask for food bank referrals. Perhaps 5% of users don't fall into that category and want to reduce food waste. The rest could not care less. They are hungry and don't want the embarrassment of a good bank referral. I meet monthly with other heads withing the network and it is the same across the board.

But, keep banging on about "but you say it's for everyone on the poster" if it helps you ignore the glaringly obvious reason it's marketed that way.

This thread is going round and round in circles 😵‍💫

He is doing nothing wrong. It is NOT a food bank for those who can’t afford food. A food bank relies on donations from people kind enough to give to those in need. A community fridge is for everyone as it is about cutting waste as the food is usually out of date, though nothing wrong with it. I don’t think food banks accept out of date food, so this stuff at the community fridge cannot even go to the food bank. Leave him alone. If you’re that bothered though, why don’t you donate to the local food bank to make yourself feel better?

At the three I’m aware of locally, there is always food left at the end of the opening time. I occasionally pop down at 10:45 (the one I go to is open 9:30-11am) and pick up anything good that’s still left. There’s a big queue there from about 9am which I presume is all the people who are really desperate for food and using it as a sort of fill-in food bank rather than a food waste reduction project, but there’s still often lots of fruit and veg left over and things like bread rolls etc. the project put on Facebook appeals for people to come down and take it so it doesn’t get thrown away. I think by letting others have access to it first and waiting (if you’re not in need of free food) then that’s the best of both worlds.

The majority of our users who need food support, are people who are too embarrassed to seek a food bank referral. It's great that you were able to use that service. The feedback we hear all the time is how undignified it feels.

We are marketed "open to everyone" to try and remove the embarrassment factor, so the people who truly need us, come in. It's a thing. Most food hubs do it. We have nationwide meetings where we constantly discuss removing barriers and stigma.

The people who take the most and have to be "policed" for trying to take multiple of items that clearly say "please, one per household" are people who are not in need.

Some people are just self absorbed, self interested and grabby. But if enduring 1 of OPs husband types, means we help 10 people in need, then it's worth it

It's not a foodbank.

Surely you should have to show your benefits letters to prove you are in the poverty. That is totally wrong of your husband. I think he needs a serious talking to, or remove all money for him to see what it's like living on the breadline!!!!

Two different things with different objectives. Our local surplus food org is constantly trying to expand its user base because so much food in the UK goes to waste. They specifically state that they're not a foodbank, they're open to all & their sole objective is preventing food waste.
Foodbanks usually require a referral from the DWP or other agencies, they try to provide basics that are easy to store as well as cheap & easy to cook. A surplus food org tries to find consumers for usually fresh food that's v close to its use-by date & for whatever reason isn't suitable for foodbanks. One eg; of the 2 foodbanks near me only one has any fridge space & very little of it, the chilled readymeals that turn up in the surplus food club are no use to them.

Exactly.

Then you’ve fallen foul of not being clear.

Hubbub is a food waste initiative. Anyone can use it. If that is not what your organisation wants they should manage food distribution in a different way.

OP, its purpose is to limit food waste. It defines itself this way and it is what it says on the tin (no pun intended

As someone who manages exactly one of those hubs (within a larger charity) I've now explained twice why we deliberately market as "open to all'

I’d just chill to Groove Armada at this point

It does…what?

Exactly - and as a former food bank user and at one point being unable to heat or eat I still cannot get angry at anyone turning up to a community pantry that has no ‘membership’ restrictions and taking food.

People are beyond fucking precious and I suspect many on here are suffering from a touch is ‘white saviour’ syndrome

OK, but it does, so...