Money Moral Dilemma: Is it OK to use a surplus food app even though I'm not struggling?

bikaga

I do this sometimes (I live some way from the best deals, so not very often, plus I have some dietary restrictions). What I do is, unless I know it's something non-essential that my town has plenty of (say Costa Coffee leftovers or cake for example, we have loads of those), I'll wait 15 minutes or so after it becomes available. If someone else is faster, fine. If not, then it's mine. If it's non-essential and I know there's usually more offer than demand (cake etc) then I don't bother waiting.

(Disclaimer - I live in a city, so popular deals like artisan bakers, sushi, donuts etc are usually gone within 2 minutes of going live. And yes, I'm aware that some people work shifts and won't see things until 5 hours later, but in that case, whether I take them or not, there'd be a dozen others in line by then.)

gothvixen

As with many of the forum questions, it comes down to morals. I was in a terrible situation when my 2 sons were young, due to their father's death from alcoholism leaving me with so much debt. For over 18 months (07-09) we had only £20 cash each week for food, travel or whatever else was needed. I have cried in Tesco when the pushy grabbed the reduced food we NEEDED. If others exploit the offer and leave the needy short, you don't have to join them. It depends on whether you have a conscience that might trouble you.

retired19

gothvixen said:

As with many of the forum questions, it comes down to morals. I was in a terrible situation when my 2 sons were young, due to their father's death from alcoholism leaving me with so much debt. For over 18 months (07-09) we had only £20 cash each week for food, travel or whatever else was needed. I have cried in Tesco when the pushy grabbed the reduced food we NEEDED. If others exploit the offer and leave the needy short, you don't have to join them. It depends on whether you have a conscience that might trouble you.

Sorry you had such a bad time but how do you know that the others were any better off? Try not to judge others they may be in a worse situation than you. 

elizabethhull

We have access to some free food occasionally. It is sent from a local supermarket late evening to a church hall for the use of the people using the hall, and consists of fresh (mainly bakery) items that have already been heavily discounted, and can no longer be sold because their dates expire that day. By taking some, we are helping with food waste, and I refuse to feel guilty about that. Unwanted stuff gets binned otherwise.

Sandstow

One evening, whilst taxi driving I was given a crate if packaged sandwiches by a local cafe.
As I drove around I stopped and offered them to homeless and beggars.
After a couple just no, point blank but asked for money and then a couple rifled through and rejected the choices on offer, I gave up and gave them to other drivers and a couple of late night revellers!
The Apps are there to stop food waste, doesn't matter who you are. Food were is immoral.

dancingmaster1651

I work with four social hubs on Merseyside. One is a *food bank*. This has lists from Social Services of people who urgently need free food, like gothvixen -- deep sympathy to people in that situation. I deliver food parcels prepared for each family's circs and have signed a confidentiality clause to say I will not disclose their details. OP isn't on that sort of list. 

The other three are social supermarkets, passing on food that would otherwise be binned (one invites money donations, t'others set very low prices). They are open to anyone and don't ask for personal info. This is like the app that OP has access to. One 'hub' gets so much that we often take surplus perishables to children's farm to feed animals! It seems unlikely that OP is really taking food away from others; on the contrary, OP is thinking carefully about food issues. As other posters point out, avoiding waste is worth doing no matter what your income. 

Agree with bonnypitlad, btw, about Deleted_User's discourtesy. If Deleted_User wants OP or anyone to change their mind, Deleted_User should be more respectful. 

keithyno.1

Deleted_User said:

UTTERLY WRONG! I volunteer for a waste food charity.  We are struggling to get enough food for those who are struggling.  By reducing your shopping bill (even though you can afford the food anyway) you are literally taking food away from the needy.  Shame on you!  

"Shame on you??!!" 

I don't think anyone who comments on here should be made to feel shame, unless they've admitted to breaking the law or something. 

An attitude like yours really would make me NOT donate to your charity, if I knew its name. 

Ed264

Chances are that everyone, however rich or poor, can download said app. Basically, it amounts to a first-come, first served basis. Carry on as you are, I say.

jwil

Deleted_User said:

UTTERLY WRONG! I volunteer for a waste food charity.  We are struggling to get enough food for those who are struggling.  By reducing your shopping bill (even though you can afford the food anyway) you are literally taking food away from the needy.  Shame on you!  

As others have said, these apps are about waste, not food poverty so they are not taking away food from the needy.  If your charity is struggling to get enough food, then the obvious answer would be to approach those businesses offering food on the app in your area and ask for first refusal rather than attacking those who are using it.  I would imagine most businesses would be willing.

jwil

sclare said:

Too good to go is about avoiding waste, and it's also a bit of a lottery. Some bags are great, one I put straight in the bin. It's not about the cost of living. It's been going for ages and it's for everyone. 

Olio is also about avoiding waste, but as the stuff is free I tend to leave it for others. 

Food banks and our local community fridge? I wouldn't dream of taking what is for those in need. 

Most community fridges are about sharing surplus food, not simply tackling food poverty.  By opening to everyone they ensure that there is no stigma about using one for those in need.  They are a great way of sharing surplus home grown fruit and veg.

How are Community Fridges different to Food Banks? | Hubbub Foundation