Community Food

sams247

I have joined a Community Food Project.  They run on the basis of collecting leftover food etc from supermarkets and instead of it going into landfill they sell it cheaply to the community.  The one I've joined mainly sources from Tesco, Sainsburys and Marks & Spencers by looking at the produce available.

It costs £10 a year to join.  Then you choose if you want to buy 10 points for £5 for 22 points for £10.  Items are 1, 2 or 3 points.  For example I used 1 point for the Tikka Masala and 1 point for 3 x 2 ltr water, and 3 points for the mayo.  If they have a great excess of things they are often free - this week the yoghurts were free

All vegetables, fruit, salad and bread are free

I only shop for me, and I have a tiny freezer, so I am limited.  But I thought I'd start keeping track of what I get 

I paid £10 for 

2 large slices (catering) Lemon Meringue pie (frozen)
Chicken Tikka Masala Ready Meal with rice
Box Sage & Onion stuffing
Fresh Mozzarella ball
Large jar Hellmans Mayonnaise (well within date)
Packet Basmati Rice
Pack of Ramen Vegetable Curry
Pack Breaded Chicken goujons
2 x tins baked beans with sausages in
Packet penne pasta
Pack dried dates
3 x 2 litre bottled water 
Pack sanitary towels
Pack of fresh figs (I baked these in honey and cinnamon)
Jar of Garlic Aioli (well within date)
Three protein yoghurts (free)
Boxed Chicken ceasar salad (1 day to use)
Coated potato slices (3 days to use or freeze)
Large bag Cheesey Doritos
1 x 500 ml water (free)
2 x lettuce (free)
Watermelon (free)
Potatoes (free)
Apples (free)
Brussel Sprouts (free)

There was a lot more veg and salad but I knew i would not eat it in time so left it

  

FlorayG

How do things like sanitary towels and bottled water go out of date or leftover? I know about these schemes but I thought they only provided stuff that was on it's last sell-by date

elsien

Bottled water used to have a best before date on it. Not checked for a while but they may still be there.
Otherwise sometimes it’s just supermarket clearing the shelves of stock they no longer. I’ve just bought a pack of Bisto winter gravy granules which was hugely reduced probably because it’s seasonal and past the season when people would normally buy it. If they can’t sell it or just don’t want it taking up the space that’s the sort of thing they will donate as well. 

Robin9

FlorayG said:

How do things like sanitary towels and bottled water go out of date or leftover? I know about these schemes but I thought they only provided stuff that was on it's last sell-by date

My local food bank buys in things like that -  from cash donations it gets - often from people they helped when in dire need but back on an even keel.

sams247

FlorayG said:

How do things like sanitary towels and bottled water go out of date or leftover? I know about these schemes but I thought they only provided stuff that was on it's last sell-by date

I have no idea!  Thing is I guess if they have excess stock or a line isnt selling ......  who knows