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.

Ah. I didn't realise that the thread had turned into an argument between two posters.

Ah well.

You are getting confused with food banks. Community pantries have food about to go out of date donated by supermarkets. The food has to be consumed quickly so as many people as possible taking the food is needed to stop it going into a bin.

This

He's a disgrace.

Crikey, I agree with you. The dude needs to take a moment. I used to be part of a social supermarket/pantry as a "solidarity member". I was referred to it while on mat leave and statutory pay, which wasn't enough to cover my bills. The health visitor had to twist my arm to go, as I felt as someone with a middle class job I didn't deserve to be there. Suggest to your husband to attend as a solidarity member - pay £10 and help cover the costs of the next member who may not be able to afford to pay, and attend toward the end of the project's opening hours so as not to take food that another household could really benefit from. That £10 would still be a bargain for the food he's getting there AND it will help the project with their costs. I now advocate for pantries to transition to mixed income models. There's a place for middle class income folk in community projects, to bring a stable income to keep the project going, and to pick up the surplus still left over at the end of the day. It's not a bad thing for people to invest more of their food budget into community supply chains, but important to do so ethically and join at the end of the queue. Hope this perspective helps.

Terrible, I would ban him! I used to know somebody who was friendly with someone who owned millions in property and always went to food banks ... its absolutely disgusting imo.

I’m not sure how you control this aspect of your DH. If it helps any, I’ve stopped putting fresh fruit from my orchard into our community pantry after seeing one car turn around and swipe everything I put in it.

we do have a pensioner flat pantry about 10 minutes further away so I support that.

I tend to look at people and their trolleys these days when shopping. Sounds weird but a few years ago I was at the pre cooked chicken stand debating what I should get for future lunches and a Lady was there who picked one which was a fraction cheaper.
She made the comment it was all she could afford and I was too thick/stunned/ ignorant to let her know at times I have surplus and could help if she wanted…

You usually need a referral to get a good bank parcel. You can sometimes turn up in an emergency and won’t get turned away. Food banks also only give a certain number each year. They are not meant to be feeding people long term.
You wealthy friend obviously found a way to cheat the system, but I can guarantee that the vast majority of people using food banks do so because they have a genuine need.

OP is not talking about food banks though.

Most food pantries are manned and limit what an individual can take. Maybe you can find another one to donate your surplus food to.

I think the food should be left for those who really need it. Unless there is só much there is enough for everybody, be it they need the free food or not. If not everything is taken out it'll go to waste. But if usually everything is taken by families who can use the help, it's not nice taking it if you can pay for it yourself.

Many people have said there is LOADS of food left - piles of pastries, bread, vegetables.

For the 11 billionth time - this is NOT A FOOD BANK.

Also, there are loads of these places and just because the one you know about needs a referral or has a particular ethos or mission statement doesn;t mean they're all the same.

That is absolutely disgusting ~ he really should not be doing this. You must try and make him see sense and stop him. I would be so angry that I probably would go to the food bank when he is there and loudly announce that he does not need the food !

It’s not a food bank

IT ISN'T A FOOD BANK.

OP doesn't say food bank for a reason, because it ISN'T ONE.

How many times?

He is 100% fine to do this. The food waste only stops being food waste if people consume it.

Those on low incomes can also use this facility AND if they need to can use food banks too, a separate and different facility focusing on helping poorer people access food.

Exactly.

The one I use are constantly encouraging people to come on their Facebook page and making a big deal that it is for everyone.

They outright say it isn't just for those who are struggling.

You also have to pay £5 for a yearly membership and pay money for the food as well so it isn't free.

Some areas don't have food banks

And how is that in any way relevant.

In that case, it would likely be similar to a food bank in the sense that it is referral only/have to show proof of low income and you get enough food for 3 days.

That doesn't seem to be the case here.

How are SO many people misreading when the first two sentences of the OP say:

"There is a community pantry in our village, with the purpose being to cut food waste. "

Some community pantries are for everyone they are about reducing food waste.
other community pantries require you to sign a fo and select which category of need you belong to.
has your husband made a declaration?

There may not be a declaration needed. The one near me doesn't do that.

Did you speak to the person who did this and do you know their intentions?

I've walked out with trolley loads of food before and heard people muttering about how disgraceful this is. I might be doing it for any number of reasons e.g. we've got too much so I'm taking it to a nearby project to share with them or the food is past it's use by date so we can no longer allow it to be taken or someone has donated jars of homemade jam which unfortunately we're not allowed to stock.

I shouldn't have to loudly declare 'I'm just taking this trolley load to the foodbank' but that's exactly what I find myself doing.

These responses are ridiculous. These pantries are for everyone. They are not a foodbank. He is perfectly entitled to use them. He should probably save the higher value items (meat etc) for those in need but there's no reason why he cannot use fruit. veg. bread, tinned goods

My DH runs one of these pantries and there is always loads that goes to a pig farm

Food pantries are open to everyone regardless of your earnings. It is a way to cut food waste. Surely your husband gives them a small donation to help with running costs? Our local pantry asks for those who can afford it to give £2:00. When I have had a big ‘shop’ I will often donate £10 or £20 as I do appreciate what they are doing and I have also saved money I would have otherwise spent.
i think your husband has every right to go but he does need to make a donation.