TIL my local grocery store donates almost no expiring food to shelters | Everyday Ethical Crossroads

Ray Martinez · 2026-05-05T06:25:03.87265+00:00

I was chatting with a guy who works at the Kroger on Elm Street here in Cincinnati, and he told me they toss like 40 pounds of baked goods and produce every night. I always figured they sent that stuff to shelters or food banks, but apparently it's a liability thing with the store's policy. Has anyone else looked into how their local stores handle near-expiration food?

anderson.piper5mo ago

40 pounds sounds like a lot until you realize a Kroger throws away way more than that on a slow Tuesday. I bet most of it is day old donuts and bruised apples nobody is gonna miss.

10

kimmurphy5mo ago

Call your local food bank directly. Lots of them have programs to pick up that stuff from stores.

2

the_anthony5mo ago

Honestly it's like a ton of stuff we assume gets handled just doesn't.

1