“One Man’s Trash...Is Still Better Than Feeding the Hungry?” – Here’s whatyour favorite bite spots don’t want you to know about their waste policy

Let me set the scene for you - The bakery lights are dimming. The shelves are still stacked with warm pastries and uneaten sandwiches. You’re passing by, wondering — what happens to all that food?

Spoiler alert: it’s not going to shelters, soup kitchens, or people in need. It’s going in the

trash. Why? Because in too many places, it’s easier to throw food away than to give it away.

The truth might make you uncomfortable, but surely not as uncomfortable as a perfectly

powdered donut sitting on top of a garbage bag.

Restaurants, bakeries, cafés — they all throw away food. Not scraps. Not spoiled items. Good food. Ready to eat. Still safe. But once the customers stop coming, that food becomes a problem:

- It’s “too old” to sell tomorrow.

- No clear legal framework protects businesses that donate.

- Owners are afraid of lawsuits, fines, or bad press.

So instead of feeding people, they feed the landfill. If that vividly gross image didn’t make you take a step back and rethink how businesses are handling these situation, let me walk you further into the story.

Let’s talk about the “better in the bin than in someone’s hands” mentality — and where it comes from: In many cases, these businesses aren’t villains twirling their mustaches over trash bags of éclairs. They’re caught in a system that makes generosity risky and wastefulness routine.

The logic goes like this:

- If I donate that food and someone gets sick, I could be sued.

- If I give it away, people might expect free handouts tomorrow too.

- If I discount it too much, I cheapen my brand.

So instead of making an effort to redirect leftovers, they wrap them up in plastic, tie the bag, and toss them — just out of reach of anyone who might actually need them.

And this isn't a one-off thing. It happens every single day, in every city, sometimes within

walking distance of families struggling to afford dinner.

Still hungry for more irony? Some of these establishments even lock their dumpsters.

Meanwhile, in other parts of the world, such as France, supermarkets are legally banned from throwing away edible food. They're required to donate it or turn it into animal feed or compost.

Furthermore, when we take a look at what the USA is doing, we take notice of a law called the Good Samaritan Food Donation Act which protects food donors from legal action — as long as they donate in good faith.

And, as a bonus to cheer you up, apps like Too Good To Go give businesses a way to sell

unsold food at the end of the day at reduced prices — win-win.

So, now what, you may ask – let me break it down for you in a few simple steps:

- Legal clarity – Businesses need to know they’re safe if they donate in good faith.

- Incentives – Tax breaks or recognition for businesses that give, not toss.

- Support systems – NGOs, apps, and food rescue programs that make donation as easy

as trashing.

- Community pressure – Ask. Suggest. Normalize giving.

You can start the shift. Seriously. Ask your local bakery what they do with unsold food.

Recommend apps or NGOs that take donations. Share posts about food waste. Be vocal. Kind, but vocal. Because sometimes, the only thing standing between a hot meal and a dumpster is a lack of awareness — or someone who didn’t bother to ask.