Food bank waste

This happened a couple days ago. If you donate to a food bank, before dropping off, make sure they will use and distribute your donation. Food banks at least in our area will not give out or distribute uninspected meats or home grown fruits and vegetables. We cleaned meat out the freezer before the yearly re-fill. A few days ago we were shutting down the last of the garden and took in all kinds of stuff. We watched them take the stuff in the front and on our way back to the truck we found them taking the stuff right out the back door to the dumpster. When questioned they told us the deal. We asked for everything back and they said no, for liability reasons. Once dropped off they can’t distribute or give it back since it’s then become their property.

If we would’ve asked we could’ve taken everything to a different organization or church or some place it could’ve been used.

Ask questions before you donate.


Owl

 

Sounds like a regulation that was well-intended when passed, but in practice can be a monumental waste. You think you're doing a good thing for people in difficult times as the holiday season is approaching... My question is why didn't they tell you upfront that they were going to immediately chuck it all out? That would irk me.

 

X2...big time!!
To the point that I'd probably donate elsewhere from now on.

 

I'm thinking they should put up a sign or list of foods they will take or not take and just say I'm sorry we can't accept those and not just throw the food away, that's ridiculous and wasteful.

There has to be a better way.

 

That would make too much sense.

 

Sounds like people that are "too nice" or two faced. Smile in your face and then dump your stuff in the trash when you're not looking. The worst kind of people, imo. I'd donate elsewhere and spread the word of your last interaction at this place.

 

A few years ago we decided we no longer wanted our couch. Aside from a little wear on the fabric, there was nothing wrong with it. We would have kept it, but we wanted a couple recliners in its place. I took it to the local place that takes stuff in to give to the poor. They literally turned their noses up at it. Never again! Straight to the transfer station after that.

 

Oh, man. Understatement. I had to go back to honestly apologize for crossing the line with someone that just followed and didn’t make the rules.

After the correct people quit hiding, we told them directly and without question they would never see our personal or our other partnered and organized donations again. The word is being publicly spread across area, the video is being privately spread as well. Thought spreading far and wide might help other areas too, at the least asking questions won’t hurt.


Owl

 

I know spotted owl.. I have seen so much waste at govt run enterprises. Usually regulations and law of unintended consequences..

 

Food banks around here specify unopened canned or boxed food, shelf-stable items only. They prefer monetary donations as they have partnerships where they can get the stuff cheaper than the public can. I would also assume that allows them to buy cold/frozen items (meats, milk, cheese etc) on an as-needed basis at distribution time.

Any fresh roadkill that is not wanted by the person are provided to soup kitchens that F&G has partnerships with, so those don't go to waste either. We just had an article abut an extra 250 chickens going to a soup kitchen (no, I don't know how you get 25 extra chickens - LOL)

 

I'm sure the reason is due to the litigious nature of society and rising liability risks. There's personal injury ads everywhere.

However, they shouldn't have accepted the items up front. It's just poor form to accept and trash.

 

Yes cans and boxes are better, I am convinced younger kids could not cook potatoes carrots onions or beets. Our food shelf would call me (I was president Lion club) when they got too much. Local churches host all natural pilgrim meals with vegetarian options, college kids think it’s amazing

6 years ago my daughter graduated 8 grade, girls had party here ,, cell phones need service none then..
they did not know parents phone numbers or what busy signal were.. wife had couple gardens and snow peas on a fence.. I was eating peas they were amazed

food not from grub hub uber eats

 

I have been experimenting for a few years now on the edibility of properly stored canned goods. They won't take out of date stuff that is still fine for years after 'expire' date. Had some fruit cocktail a month or so ago that was two years past and it was fine other than having lost a little color. Seems like they'd turn down a half a beef if someone couldn't show them samples of the grass it ate.

 

I've done similarly and eaten stuff way past the "fresh date". I'm still here......

 

I'm not trying to flirt with disaster or anything. I'm a fella who keeps a store of emergency food. I have confirmed that the dates on the cans are mostly CYA and arbitrary. I need to know how long they are edible, not how long they will taste best. Rather than just chucking a fair dollar amount of food, I'm going to be sure it's not spoiled first. Broke out a little can of condensed milk that was 2 years past and other than being a little darker, I couldn't tell the difference in texture or taste.

Disclaimer...I store this canned food in a mostly stable temperature environment. This is paramount for long term storage. It stays between 60 & 75 degreees where it's at. Don't let it get hot, don't let it freeze.

 

In happened to be in a food store one early morning-shortly after they had opened. There were shopping carts full of full and half hams. I asked if there was a sale going on with these????

No, the reefers were down for awhile and they are all going to be thrown out!

What? They are smoked and cured and can withstand much worse that room temps for a little while. They were packed together and even if the reefer was down for hours, it takes longer time for them to acclimate to warmer temps. They'll be alright....

Nope, straight to the dumpster!

 

To be honest, I'd be going straight to the dumpster to load up!

 

they won’t let you they will call cops at least IME

 

Wonder how many thousands and thousands of dollars the person that made that decision spent on their college degree...