Buying yellow sticker items

[Zibbydib]

And also getting a Company Shop membership?

I qualify for a Company Shop card (heavily discounted supermarket which helps reduce food waste). I absolutely love a bargain and also enjoy yellow sticker shopping at the supermarkets.

I have a sense of guilt about this because I earn a decent wage (£36k, my partner £28k) and I’m wondering if I should actually be leaving these bargains for people who genuinely can’t afford full priced food. I’m also undecided on whether I should be going to the Company Shop for my food shop when I can afford a full priced shop.

What are your thoughts?

You could, but there's an equal chance of it being thrown away. I'd buy it and buy some items for the food bank to balance your morals.

How does one qualify for a Company Card?

If you don't buy the yellow stickered items there's no guarantee someone less well paid than you will.

I'm getting deja vu. I've read almost this same thing recently.

If you don't buy it, and nobody else does, it's going to get thrown out (terrible policy, but not the issue here).

You can qualify for a Company Shop card if you work for Police, NHS etc or are on means tested benefits

I think you should buy it if you can use it. Yellow stickers are a bit of a lottery. I used to do an Olio collection at Tesco. Bread, discontinued stock, yellow sticker stuff. So it’s not necessarily thrown if not sold.

I don't see the issue with buying yellow stickered produce, personally I wouldn't use the company shop unless money is tight and you cannot afford a regular shop. I only say that as here they're always running out of food even though membership is quite restricted.

My thoughts are that if you see a yellow stickered item you want and will eat/use then buy it. At the end of the night anything left over is most likely sent to charity.

Get a company shop membership! The price is low because the food is low dated, it's not charity.

The charity side of the Company Shop is the Community Stores, which only those on low income/means tested benefits can access. Community Stores are non profit and can run because of Company Shop members - there's nothing to feel guilty about!

I feel no guilt buying yellow stickered items. The people who really need the food know exactly when to come to get it at a very nominal price. Like £4.00 down to 30p. I’m normally buying the product on the first reduction
and it’s normally something obscure for the freezer that no other sucker would bother with.

Yeah I think at your income you really should be leaving it to people who actually need it.

I don't go mad and buy everything but yes, agree those really struggling aren't buying my Charlie Bighams Tikka Masala at £4.50 instead of £9 so I will grab one. Same with things like branded pizzas and the Gino's Italian meals in Asda. I do generally leave the cheap mince/chicken.

If it makes you feel any better OP our household income is almost twice yours and we buy yellow stick items and don't intend to stop. Just because you have a good income doesn't mean you want to waste money.

Thanks for your opinions. I will continue to contribute to food banks and enjoy my yellow sticker items.

I’ll pay a visit to the Company Shop and if there’s plenty stock of something that I need I’ll get it

I wouldn't feel too bad @Zibbydib, your household income is probably comfortable, but not enormous!

Yes, yes, yes to the Company Shop! I bet police commissioners and NHS executive managers use it!

I'm just bitter that my public body isn't eligible for membership. We're bigger than an single police force or NHS trust and were essential during lockdown.