DH is using community pantry for free food

[cookingaroast]

There is a community pantry in our village, with the purpose being to cut food waste. I completely support cutting down on food waste, and the food provided is all from supermarkets who would otherwise throw the food out. My issue is more I'm a bit uncomfortable with us taking the food.
We are both in the tech industry and both fall into the higher tax bracket for our salaries, more than capable of paying for food ourselves.

I've said to DH I don't think we should be utilising this resource and leave the food for others who need it more than us but he loves the bargains (free food) he gets from it. He genuinely wants to show off the stuff he's picked up whenever he goes - which is usually once a week.

I guess I feel a bit uncomfortable that this free food could be a lifeline to people. I do like charity shopping and getting a bargain but I don't feel as bad, as I'm paying what they decide they feel it's worth and the money is going to charity. This is completely free and run by volunteers.

No missing the point ours actively sends out posts of 100 loaves of bread please come help etc etc.

We do usually give a cash donation to keep it running though as it's done purely by volunteers.

Are these rules you have made up in your head? Our local food hub does not state this at all - it is open to anyone of any income.

Having people that don't need it use it is more likely to encourage people who do need it to use it.
Is he going down there and clearing the shelves, or just taking a few things that would otherwise be wasted?

In a similar way, I didn't apply for the Dolly Parton free kids' books when dc2 was born because we have a lot of kids' books at home already because dc1 got given so many over the years, and if everyone took it who didn't need it, they'd run out. Nothing is actually unlimited.

Fair enough if they occasionally have too many loaves of bread. Not the rest of the time. I'd be ashamed if my dh took free handouts he didn't need.

Im sorry but I disagree. That’s certainly not the intent behind ours. Ours was set up to have a communal place for surplus foods primarily off of the allotments.
Some of the shops also came on board. But we have a very clear message which is that it is for all. And that everyone should give more than they take. Either in food or in time. It works very well and is very popular.

Yes, so is ours technically open to everyone, but that doesn't mean one should be grabby if you don't need it. There's nuance with everything. If you have more than you need, then you shouldn't take free handouts that other people need more.

We have a couple here, they are usually stocked from the Olio app and are open to everyone. Mainly fresh food - veg, fruit, bread. They are open to everyone they are not food banks. Anyone can download the Olio app and pick up food

I wonder if op's dh gives his seat to someone who needs it on the tube, even if he isn't in a priority seat? Or are the seats "intended for everyone".

Oh wow that is disgraceful

YABU places like that are not like food banks. They are for everyone and anyone, and are about reducing food waste. Food banks don't tend to supply stuff that is out of date or stuff that was reduced but didn't sell.

There is one local to me (is called a Community Fridge). It runs on Monday mornings and people are queuing in all weathers to go in and have 5 items for free.
They limit the amount you can get, so no one misses out.

If they were meant for people going through a rough patch, you would need to be referred to them.

OP says this is about reducing food waste rather than providing food for those who cannot afford it. It is NOT a food bank then, is it?

People have weird ideas about leaving yellow stickers or freebies for "the poor folks". The OP's DH is just as allowed to take things out of the community pantry and I am to hoover up the yellow stickered chicken in Asda.

Like others say, it's a community pantry, so it's fine. He should be sensitive when using it, like not clearing it out or not taking items if they are running low and there's a queue, but they serve a dual purpose of helping those who struggle AND reducing food waste.

We have similar where I live for kids clothing. About 50% of my kids clothing comes from there, it's amazing. I could afford to buy new, but it's a resource used by the whole community. That means it doesn't feel like charity, and they are so inundated with clothes it's fine. As it's used by everyone, people from all sectors in society donate, and people see it as a cycle rather than 'charity' so the quality of donations stay high.

Speak to the people running the pantry. The one closest to me closed because not enough people used it, so lots of food was wasted. They tried repeatedly to encourage more affluent people to use it too, but they didn't. It wasn't a food bank, it was short dated food donated in order to reduce waste (and associated costs for the businesses donating). Your dh may well be doing the right thing

Sounds fine to me, like our local one, though like others I think he should aim to take only perishable things that are about to expire, and he should look for opportunities to contribute as well (not by buying stuff to leave there but by growing things or volunteering for it).

The point is increasing a sense of community and reducing waste.

Our local community fridge/pantry states only take 5 items and is open to everybody. If you have money I might wait until later in the day to get food so it doesn't go to waster, but gives those who have less money have time to get it first. As others have said maybe you could add other items or donate money

Alternatively he could volunteer to help run it

It is advertised as being to cut food waste, and open to everyone.

The feedback here is quite mixed, I'll suggest he maybe start dropping bits off as he goes or check if there's a donation box.

It has surprised me how much food is put in to the pantry from shops, the amount of waste they are saving is fantastic

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.

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.

It’s a community pantry not a foodbank

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!

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

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

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.

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