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.

Well the one near us runs out regularly, so there is zero food waste. So if a high earner went in , got his haul and by doing so genuinely deprived a struggling family, that is wrong. Just because a person can do something it doesnt mean that they should.

I saw something online about how community pantries dont always work depending on where they are. So the food waste remains pretty much the same as the well heeled dont need it and think it akin to using a food bank (as evidenced on here). But where there is genuine need there isnt enough food or isnt a pantry.

So it really does make a difference where this particular pantry is.

Our community pantry is mainly just yellow stickered stuff from the local Co op that hasn’t sold. Generally meal deal sandwiches a bit of fruit / veg and bread. Possibly some sliced meats and ready meals. The idea is that the 30 packs of broccoli that are at their best before date do not end up in landfill. Any meals / sandwiches / meats have to be tossed in the morning if no one claims them as past use by date.

Its not the same as a food bank it’s about reducing food wastage. I grab bits there sometimes ( mainly broccoli, always seems to have loads) and make soup. Saves it being composted.

It would be morally wrong if there are people in the village who are struggling and need more food than is left after DH has taken some. Otherwise, it's fine for anyone to use up food which is about to be dumped in landfill. It's not like taking food from a food bank.

Why?
Reduced food is for anyone. Do you honestly think someone in poverty goes to Waitrose to begin with?

Why do people keep mentioning the word food bank

This isn't the same thing.

Generally you need a referral from a professional, GP/social worker to have access to a food bank they're not just queue up and walk in as with a community fridges.

@PyongyangKipperbang but that's the point - they WANT to run out. They want the food gone.
A lot of food pantries (or good to go bags) are left over food from places like Greggs so it is food like donuts not stuff you can make family meals from.

@WingingItSince1973 who should eat the yellow labelled food in Waitrose?

I actually think it’s ok sometimes in certain circumstances.

For example if it shuts at 4 and he is there at half 3 and collects one of the basil plants and there are several then that’s good as he is preventing waste. If he turned up at 8am with a carrier bag ready to take things then I do think that is wrong as most of the items could be going to someone who needs them.

I find it curious that some people on here seem to think yellow ticket items should be left alone unless you are struggling.
Have you even seen them lately? They are not that generous. Things like a Charlie Bigham meal down from nearly £8 to £5. I doubt anyone struggling to feed themselves will be buying that.
I have just been to my local big Tesco. The yellow ticket stuff was crap like a apple snack pack. Yellow ticket price was still 30p... for a 3rd of an apple.
Half the issue is that the fresh produce counters are gone from a lot of places now. My Tesco used to have a meat and fish counter. I loved picking up half price skate as it is so expensive but so lush too.
Now they just have a Yo! Sushi, and even at half the price, it is very expensive.
The only real bargains I see with yellow stickers on now is bread.

And often I can't afford the full price. So we do without (edit) if the items we would like are not reduced.

But when things are a bit easier, I leave them for those who need them more.

Its not batshit, its called basic humanity. Yes they may well be swooped out by those that dont need them, but I can sleep well knowing that it wasnt me that did it.

I wish there was something like this near me
I am on a reasonable income but use the yellow stickers to save money
DP (not living together) is out of work and broke so I buy extra for him and batch cook etc - he is too proud to use a food bank and previous experience during covid put him off as he was just given lots of random goods which he wouldn’t eat

@Needmorelego I know that its ultimate goal is about not wasting food (but thanks for the slightly patronising explanation) but imho the ultimate goal should be that people who have greater need should have priority. Those with plenty of cash should be last in line.
When I had very little a super cheap bag of out of date food was like gold to me. Now that I have more money (albeit still very low waged) I would hate to deny anyone in need. If it’s the end of the day and it would otherwise go to waste then fine but not otherwise.

So like an olio then?

Good to stop waste

but as long as he isn’t taking it from there who truly need it

maybe he can go the last 10mins before shuts so he’s not taking all the stuff that someone truely may have needed

YABU

a pantry is not a food bank. It’s designed to reduce food waste and isn’t income dependent. If it makes you feel better donate that amount it would cost you at the supermarket to your local food bank and give the man a break.

@godmum56 lucky folk who live in wealthier areas - so obviously the priorities are different.
Where I live there are a lot of empty fridges and cupboards.

On the other hand though maybe no one will pick them up at all if you don’t and they will just go to waste. To an extent it obviously depends on the item & how discounted it is. 20% off something that was expensive to start like a side of salmon or a big joint of beef you are likely not depriving someone struggling 50% off something that was reasonable to start like a pack of chicken thighs or cheddar or a bag of potatoes you more likely are but then again if it’s close to closing time then maybe not.

@Okiedokie123 but the thing with Food Pantries they aren't about food that people need and can make several days worth of family meals out of.
They're left over donuts and unsold Hello Fresh boxes (which apparently the amount of food is quite small).
They are literally just to stop stuff going in the bin.

You know you could tip him off anonymously so they ban him 😂

I dont know what you think I am saying!

In an area with a have/have not split then better to close the "have" area pantry and divert the donations to the "have not" pantry surely? So that the "have not" pantry still runs out but more people benefit, rather than the "have" pantry chucking stuff away.

Yep, I met a mate after she went to a community fridge. She picked up some satsumas, 2 jacket spuds, Graze snacks and some olive bread sticks.
Now, I am no cook, but if you could rustle up a meal with that lot that you deserve a medal.

I've volunteered at our local Community Fridge for years. You need to check the guidance. If it says it's for everyone then it's for everyone. I find it absolutely galling that we have to compost perfectly good food because that person who is 'more in need' doesn't walk through the door.

However if you aren't 'in need' yourselves, there are ways to use a Community Fridge considerately.
• Don't queue up before opening times, this means that those who are 'in need' stand more of a chance of getting food that will make a difference to them.
• In your financial position see if you can make a cash donation. Anything donated to us goes towards keeping our Community Centre running.
• We're always drowning in bread. Nothing makes me happier than seeing people leave with bread. Please take the bread! Same applies to herbs and bananas.
• Don't take more than you will use. We don't want the food that we have rescued going in someone else's bin instead.
• Consider volunteering there yourselves. We're crying out for volunteers.
• Spread the word. Food waste is so bad for the environment.

It's not a food bank, people need to calm themselves 🤣 i personally wouldn't and I don't blame you for feeling uncomfortable with it, but he's not technically doing anything wrong if its for stopping food waste. Similar to to go to go, or olio

I can say with confidence that community pantries (not food banks) are open to anyone and encourage everyone to use them as they want to avoid a situation where there is stigma attached to using them.

Food Pantries need the stuff gone asap because it's fresh food that will go off.
The logistics of distributing to lots of different places just wouldn't work as it's done by volunteers.

@JaceLancs are you sure there is nothing like that near you, they are getting more common. Or you could use one of the apps people have referenced