What to do with all the unwanted food gifts?

[Titsywoo]

We have been given tons of gifts from work customers and friends/family that we just won't eat or drink. Things like liquer filled chocolates, tin of Roses, biscuits etc. What does everyone do with bit like this? Food bank?

Obviously. But I don't know how they manage their stock levels. They might be like right December = CHOCOLATE!!!!! then January they might think their users prefer different food? They will have done the stats though so if they do want chocolate great as I've got shit loads they can have.

Yeah but the chocolate would take up deodorant space.

@fuzzychic our Food Bank might be slightly different to yours. Treats like this wouldn't replace a regular item of food, they'd be given as an extra.

The local Food Bank also empties out their collection points more often at this time of year as they understand that some people woukd want to donate treats that they have received.

Yes the food bank still want chocolate. The people using the food bank don't all source all of their meals from there, it gives them the basics then they buy the fresh and the luxuries with whatever their food budget is. Most people would be happy to receive some chocolates or biscuits.

I dont really understand the need to get rid unless you don't like it. Are they all short dated? I choose a couple to work through and put all the others out if sight until those are gone.

Is there a quota on the chocs that you'd allow them to have? Don't they deserve any treats?

They are all things we won't eat. I don't have a sweet tooth, DS isn't a fan of biscuits or chocolate that isn't plain, DD is back at uni soon and DH is on a diet so it is wasted here! Plus it is taking up space I could use for essentials. May as well pass it on to people who will appeciate it.

The demand for food is huge at the food bank. Things are sorted into date order so any surplus will be given out later in the year.

I'd just regift or keep a few boxes to take to people's houses when I visit or get an invite over.

Just fyi Foodbanks can't accept anything with alcohol in

Yes I think the food bank will be fine for all apart from the alcoholic chocolates.

They absolutely do want them! I volunteered at my local foodbank earlier this month and they had me opening boxes of wrapped chocolates and making them up into smaller mini bags of chocolates to go with the food parcels. They say they like to do these all year round but struggle with donations outside of December and Easter. So please do donate any wrapped chocolates for your foodbank.

Foodbank shelves are never full. The idea that we have massive warehouses bulging with waiting supplies is so laughable it makes me cry.

We are barely scraping by to get parcels together for everyone that comes to ours, even with the pre-Christmas generosity rush.
We have more gaps on our shelves than tins.

At ours, clients get their regular parcel then can choose an item from a table with "extra bits". Biscuits and chocolate are always immensely popular as a little treat.

If anyone is thinking of what to donate, ask your foodbank or check their app if they have one. We use Bank the Food app. We always need tinned meat, fish, veg and fruit. Also often need toiletries and San Pro.

This is true but the foodbank that I volunteered in keeps the stuff they can’t use separately and lets volunteers “buy” it for a cash donation

Its not just for the treat value. Sweet stuff gives a fast energy boost especially if its cold, needs no cooking, not even hot water and can be eaten anywhere with out any utencils. No its not a healthy option en masse but it has its uses.

@Titsywoo you can give away items containing alcohol on Olio if it's active in your area.

Foodbank donation, please don't throw it away.

I would l take them and say that they are for the volunteers. We got lots at our food bank and people thinking of us was very reassuring that we were appreciated.

Weirdos not liking chocolate!

I'm sending loads back to uni with DD. She leaves it in the kitchen..... It doesn't last long!

Dd should take it back to uni!

Olio will be gone in minutes! You don’t even have to leave the house.

Does no one eat chocolate in January? Did they pass a law no one told me about?

The OP doesn’t have another item. She isn’t asking “What would be the number one food bank choice?” - she’s asking what she should do with THIS food.

There will never be time that our warehouses are so full that we cannot take more.. We often have to shop to stock up because we don’t have sufficient stock. Our clients get a box of tinned groceries, a carrier bag of treats and cereals,a carrier bag with 4 other items of the clients choosing. And 2 or 1 toilet roll.. We always need shampoo and deodorant and men’s shaving goods.
I think it is good that people ask this sort of question. We do not expect the general,public to automatically know how we work. So well done @fuzzychic for being brave enough to ask.

If any one is interested our volunteers split into 3 teams at the beginning of the session. One team are distributing at the counter and are all trained to look out for any welfare issues.
The second team are splitting products. Salt, cooking oil, pasta, tea bags etc.
the third team are sorting into best before dates so that food is distributed in order.

We never give any damaged packets or dented tins. These are given to the church who cook twice a week for the homeless.

Your teens don’t eat chocolate or biscuits 😮😮😮