Do food banks accept expired food?

Own_My_Own

MysteryMe wrote: »

Or around 18 months depending on when in 2011. Like I said if I was starving I would eat it. I've often eaten tinned food found in the back of cupboards older than that and it's been fine as long as the tin is in good condition It's food I have paid for and if that food is good enough for me it should be good enough for a hand out. Tinned food can last for many years.

So it's 18 months out of date. Lets quibble over 6 months.
The point remains the same, what you choose to eat and what you can donate to food banks are completely different.

MysteryMe

The only point I am interested in is that this is an internet forum and I can comment on the policy food banks operate under and will continue to do so.

Nada666

Own_My_Own wrote: »

It's not a little out of date. It's 2 years out of date.

Tinned fruit or vegetables - two years is only a little out of date.

aklmatthews

I am sure many of the people who use food banks would behappy to use the food but the food banks are not allowed to give out of datefood in the same way charities are not allowed to give out of date to the homelesson the streets or use it in kitchens that feed the homeless.

marlasinger

Nada666 wrote: »

It must be nice to be rich enough that you can throw food out. Must be nice to be indulged that you do not just eat whatever is put on your plate.
What is disgusting about peaches and apricots? What is revolting about broad beans and carrots - you never eat carrots in your house? Never? Crazy.

What an absurd comment! You, of course, have never thrown food out? If you have ever thrown a piece of food away, you are rich?? Another genius MSE poster. :rotfl:

If you go back to my first post, I am not actually going to throw the food away. The whole point of my post was to see if I can give it to people who need it.

As far as finding those foods disgusting, I happily eat fresh apricots, peaches and carrots. It's the tinned version that I don't like. I didn't realise that I had to like foods that were acceptable to yourself, rather than having my own preferences.

MysteryMe wrote: »

I must admit I found the food that was being labelled as "revolting" quite strange! You could use the apricots or peaches as a glaze on meat. You just need to have a bit of imagination.

I don't really like fruit and meat mixed together. As mentioned above, it's simply my personal tastes. I'm quite surprised to have wound people up simply by saying I find a particular food revolting.

honeythewitch wrote: »

Of course it is nice to be able to eat whatever you like, and why shouldn't you, if you can afford it?
It seems to me that the OP tried to do a kind thing and what she eats or doesn't is nobody's business.

Thank you!

paulineb_2

I was wondering the same. Its a bit of a shame in a way because companies such as approved foods sell foods that are past their best before date, Ive bought loads from them and never had any problem with it.

Id try and find some use for the stuff you dont want, even if its giving them to friends or family, shame to throw stuff away when its perfectly safe to eat.

LittleVoice

It is odd that tinned food beyond its Best Before date can be sold quite legally but not given away via a Food Bank.

Do the Food Banks not know the difference between "Best Before" and "Use By"?

Owain_Moneysaver

marlasinger wrote: »

As far as finding those foods disgusting, I happily eat fresh apricots, peaches and carrots. It's the tinned version that I don't like.

Chuck it in a blender and turn it into soup, or fruit puree for desserts.

anamenottaken

evangeline wrote: »

I have just come in from my volunteering session at the Foodbank. We are unable to issue anything out of date , even by a day. In many cases the item will be perfectly fine , but those are the rules.

That's a rule about food which is out of date, ie past its Use By date.

Do you also have a rule about the items the OP mentions which will have a Best Before date?