Instead of the perfectly-fine “expired” food going to the dumpster, feed people. Help the community.
So putting myself into an asshole NIMBY’s shoes: I bet a lot of people don’t want to admit that they would prefer not to rub shoulders with people who needed foodbanks. And that is likely a major reason why a store wouldn’t do this.
Also you’d need to staff it and if the food is free, that’s an expense. Also the store space could be used for other merchandise so you’re paying for a bigger footprint and to light, heat, cool, and clean it. I’ve been to some food banks and rarely are they in nice modern buildings.
I agree that it should happen instead of food being wasted. Those are just the reasons it wouldn’t happen in a commercial store. I think a better idea would be to strictly regulate what food is allowed to be thrown out vs mandatory donating with huge fines for intentional contamination or waste.
If you talk to people about homelessness, they will readily admit they just don’t want to see it. If go to any cheaper grocery store you definitely are rubbing shoulders with people who use foodbanks. Food insecurity doesn’t go away just because you have a roof over your head.
The rub is a foodbank in a grocery store will attract the more visible “unreliable access to showers” type of user, which would be unacceptable.
I get that, but then those “undesirsbles” can be directed to help. At first yea, lots of grimy people could show up. With time as those people get help, you’ll see less and less. Change takes time. This change would be like removing a dam. A crazy surge of water, but then it calms to be the beautiful river it can be :)
but then those “undesirsbles” can be directed to help.
You think the reason they are undesirable is because they need help? They WANT to be undesirable. They reject society and choose to make bad decisions. You can’t help people like that.
This is how our local food bank does it. When you give money to them, you’re not actually buying groceries. You’re paying for trucks, gasoline and drivers who go to the various grocery’s’ warehouses, who take what is nearing “throw out” and make it available for people.
This is why I laugh whenever a local grocery store has a “hunger food drive“ - there, you are literally just buying groceries for other people. Whereas our food bank prides itself on being able to feed people for $.20 a meal - it’s a huge force multiplier.
Give to your local area food bank.
I do exactly this for a job. Some stores give lots of good stuff, some treat us like a garbage company.
