Why do food chains like Dunkin' Donuts throw away good food when it could be put to good use?

Question

I mean seriously--my sister and I were there and we saw them throwing fresh donuts into the bin!
Why? When there are people starving in third world countries, or beggars on our very streets?

What do I do with food scraps?
In my house, we have leftovers, thank you very much.
Okay, I know Africa's a long shot, but what about the poor who are in the same City/Region. There is no excuse!

Answer 1

Ask the store manager to check out local Meals on Wheels or Salvation Army food programs---the food should go out the same day with these.

Answer 2

It is a crying shame that we are a wastefull society, and wasting food is a sin. Most food places throw away food made that same day just because they haven't sold it by the end of the day. Maybe that food isn't as fresh as it was this morning but it certainly could not be rotten. It is shameful that this food cannot be given to the poor, but their excuse usually is that they are afraid someone will get sick and sue them, and that may put them out of business. The only problem is why would food made the same day make anyone sick? I think it is because too many people go around suing companies on trumped up evidence, just to get money and that only makes the businesses afraid to take any chances. As an unfortunate consequence it is the poor and the beggars and the soup kitchens that feed the poor on donations get the shaft. I believe that if people stopped suing companies all the time, then the companies would not be afraid to donate food that they did not sell to those who truly need the handout. Everyone would be happier, and God would bless us abundantly.

Answer 3

I asked the same question at my first food service job and my manager said as much as he would love to donate the leftovers to the City Mission or some similar group there are health regulations and city and state laws that forbid it apparently due to health reasons. He believed these laws were dated and should be changed and petitioned his senators for a time, but got no where and couldn't find enough support. I agree though, there should be a more productive use for a bunch of leftover cheeseburgers from MickeyD's when there's a guy 2 blocks away who hasn't eaten in 2 days.

Answer 4

There are groups like Second Helping that make deals with restaurants to take the food left over from what they have cooked that day . It is sanitary and its not garbage or any thing like that . At times they have left over food from a special they ran,meat,breads,veggies etc. Its like the gleemers that go into a field after its been machine picked and they gather what the machine left. The veg,fruit is given to seniors homes,food banks etc. Its also given to rescue missions to help feed the homeless.There are children and families right here in the riches country in the world that go to bed hungry every night. That's just wrong.

Answer 5

When its no longer fresh, the food vendor tosses it out. It may still be good to eat, but they feel it's not in the best interest of bringing in customers. Though I do like some bakery's puttingout day old products and labeling them as such, charging a reduced rate. Too much waste goes out the back door and too many people starving.

Answer 6

Food in my city is contributed to Helping Hand type missions...I once worked in a Food Kitchen for the homeless & was told much of the food came from various sources...restaurants, grocery stores, etc...I never saw any 'bad' food...aparantly there were certain standards by which they must abide...or maybe the law has changed...
Certainly, it is better than eating out of garbage cans & dumpsters...which so many people in this large city do...
As many of you stated, it is so easy now, in this day & time, to sue over anything...and it is so sad that many are denied help because of it...
(I once heard of a burglar getting locked in the garage of a house he had stolen from and had to wait two weeks for the owners to come home from vacation. HE sued THEM & won...Rediculous).

Answer 7

Not only food-chains but so many other concerns too. It is because they cannot bare the market price which might be coming down due to over production. What you saw is not left-over but it is material over-produced. So many dairies in India gutters the over produced milk in their plants. Also think about a situation in which an individual is given one product just because it is over-produced and taker is poor where as for the same thing you are paying money, just because you are not poor. Is it fair ?

Answer 8

Because the food sanitation laws require them to be thrown out, it could have been a fly landed on them, or perhaps they were dropped on the floor. But we have a governed food sanitation in every state for the safety of the public, if you serve food to the public you must abide by the laws that are places. That is why food is thrown out everyday by restaurants of all kinds.

Answer 9

I think it is a goverment sanctions. When I was in highschool, I worked in the cafeteria and I threw out soup by the barrels at the end of the day. pans and pans of rolls. The lunch room ladies said it was against the law to give it away or even let people take it to their farm animals.

Answer 10

Who is going to do it? Not the companies.... It takes work to facilitate activities and companies usually only focus time into generating more business and making money. Anytime a large company is involved in donating food (food especially) someone has to make sure it is safe and properly managed, they do not want this taking away from their business. If this is something you want to do, ask around...start an organization.