Money Moral Dilemma: Is it wrong to buy cheap clearance food when we could afford to pay full price?

MSE_Kelvin

This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks...

My wife and I have steady jobs with good salaries and live within our means. We've always shopped in the clearance section at supermarkets, but with the huge increase in food prices over the last two years, I've begun to feel guilty about it. We're fortunate enough that we could pay full price, and with so many struggling, it feels like we're taking an opportunity from those who need it more.

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Brie

take advantage of the money you save and ensure you always put something in for the food bank.  There are normally collection boxes beyond the tills.  Many FBs are unable to take fresh food so will appreciate you buying them "kitchen shelf" items that they can store easily ready to distribute.  Frankly I always take a look at the situation - if there are 30 chickens all with yellow stickers and no one in the shop then fine.  If there's 3 items and 20 people waiting for someone to reduce items I let them get on with it.  

fyi - check your local foodbanks website or "BanktheFood" to find out what is most needed.  Always get nice stuff, things you would like yourself, preferably with a long BBD, and don't forget that there's vegans, veggies, no glutens etc.  There's also a number of apps that will allow you to get free items that you can keep for yourself or donate as well.  

Mark_d

Food in the clearance section is worth less than food in the normal sections, usually because it has a short date - meaning it has to be used same day/next day.  You pay less because it is worth less.

If the constraint on use by date is not an issue for you then why pay more.

There are lots of people struggling in the world due to lack of food, illness, war, persecution...Maybe use the money you save on food shopping to donate to a charity?

Emmia

No, I do this and feel no guilt at all.

tacpot12

No, there's no need to feel guilty about doing this. It is helping reduce food waste. 

bluelad1927

We don't go out of our way to use buy clearance goods but wouldn't feel guilty buying it if its so.ething we want.

@Brie above mentions the foodbank trolleys and makes a good point about non-perishables and every week we buy something  to go in there. 

DullGreyGuy

I dont think there is any moral consideration to it. It'll be short dated and/or damaged and so marked down accordingly. 

There may be non-moral reasons not to, you may not use it in time and so its then wasted or it may not be at its best on the "best before date" compared to one thats much further from its BBD, an X box of beers/cokes etc may be missing some and actually you want the normal X cans as you've X people coming over etc. 

If its really troubling you so much then donate to a foodbank or such.

lohr500

We have no qualms about buying food from the clearance shelves when out shopping.
But if the person asking the question has, then they could stop buying these items or as suggested above donate either to food banks or charity. 

MattMattMattUK

Totally acceptable, no need to feel guilty. 

elsien

This has been debated to death before. 

For me, it’s about taking a bit and leaving the rest for others. 

Because when people on here say “leave it for someone who really needs it” how do you judge who really needs it?

Bottom line is that you can’t, and having seen people walk out with 20 loaves of bread at a time or six chickens, I have no qualms about taking the odd loaf or packet of meat for that evening. 

Bougainvillea

I don't think its about feeling guilty - its about caring about adults and children who can't afford food at the regular price.
If you can afford the regular price, then then just limit discounted food to one item. Perhaps more if its closing time and there's lots of reduced food. Or shop at Waitrose or M&S where there's less likely to be shoppers who can't afford the full price.