One Person’s Trash is Another Person’s Treasure: The Future of Expired Food
Expiration dates are not federally mandated. However, each state does have its own
requirements. Further, selling expired foods is not illegal, can reduce food waste, and benefit the hungry. In May 2014, Doug Rauch, the former president of Trader Joe’s, launched Daily Table in Dorchester, Mass. Daily Table is a non-profit supermarket dedicated to reducing America’s food waste and addressing food insecurity, a problem that faces one in seven Americans. They offer discounted foods that are considered “unsellable” by some grocery stores. Doug Rauch, understands the grocery world and just how much good food goes to waste. Doug knows how this food can benefit others and the environment. For more information on this view the NBC video: http://www.nbcnews.com/video/nightly-news/54186865#54186865.
On the international front, WeFood in Copenhagen, Denmark, opened its doors on February 22, 2016. WeFood sells surplus items that would otherwise have been discarded, even though the food is still perfectly safe to eat. This food surplus is sold at prices 30-50 % lower than other local supermarkets. WeFood reported that items flew off of the shelves on the store’s opening day and customers were quite happy. Wefood also believes they can make food more affordable for low-income families and reduce the amount of food waste.
Did you know that France is the first country in the world to ban supermarket food waste? They are required to donate to charities that desperately need the food instead of throwing the food away. According to the Huffington Post, the law also prohibits stores from pouring bleach over food items — a tactic some used to prevent homeless people from foraging — and mandates that schools across the country begin to educate students on the fight against food waste.
If you have visited Daily Table, WeFoods or live in France, please share your experiences with us on our Facebook page: Land of Promise.
Let’s All Eat Together!