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.

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

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?

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??

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!

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.

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.

Why? It’s not a food bank

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

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

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.

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).

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

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

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/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.

And it's a bit silly to say it's all about reducing waste- at my local community pantry there's things like loo roll and washing powder as well and tins and jars. That stuff doesn't go off for years.

Sure you don't need to be referred, unlike at the food bank, but that doesn't mean you should go fill your designer handbag with free washing powder. See the bigger picture.

If you need it even a little bit, then absolutely, it is for you. Op's dh does not need it.

Yellow sticker items are not reduced and on display for people who are struggling. They are first come, first served.
Sorry, but if I need leeks for a meal that night, and I see some reduced then it is utter madness to buy the full price ones.
You could say that charity shops should just be for people who can't afford new clothes.
Reducing food waste (any waste really) is a good thing.
People on the bones of their arse have access to food banks when needed etc.

The community pantry in the next town advertises on Facebook. It's absolutely not aimed at any demographic, they just want to make sure that whatever Tesco gives them will be used. People I know are comfortably off have used it, grabbed a loaf for the freezer and a bag of apples when they pantry's begging people to take them. They make clear it isn't a food bank but a community initiative open to all.

He is doing what you're meant to do with a Community Pantry.
Prince William could use one if he wanted too.

YABU if it’s for anyone to access and to cut food waste. We have one near us and I haven’t been for a while but they charge a small fee 10p or 20p per item for the first 90 minutes and then it’s all free in the last half an hour they run it (its run for 2 hours a day). They still have to throw some of the food away and I live in Bradford which is one of the most deprived cities in the UK.

@MumoftwoNC I assume that sort of stuff gets donated by community rather than supermarkets

I'm not going to try and dissuade you, it's clear we have a different outlook and values in this matter so it's best to leave it there.

My local food pantry really emphasises the anyone can use it point as it’s all about food waste as opposed to food banks, they always have stuff left over and post a lot on fb etc

This is an incredibly unsexy act from him. Bargain hunting to the extent he (a high earner ) is taking food from people in need. Not hot.

Just to reiterate- community pantries are not food banks and don’t intend to filll the gap for those who can’t afford food. They are to stop food waste- and share, tbh.

I’ve set up 3- often it’s things like people who have a glut of apples in their garden, or they own a local food business and have some short lifted food to donate- it’s in no way intended to provide meals and isn’t set up in the choice or quantity to do so.