Have you ever been asked to make a donation through the till when shopping at your local grocery store? Or been asked to ‘round up’ your bill? If so, I’m sure you’ve also asked yourself, I wonder how the charity receives that money and the impact that your $2, $5 or $10 donation makes.
Many of us have done it: Find an unopened box of pasta at the back of the pantry, see that it’s past its best before date, and throw it in the trash or compost to be safe. But is that really necessary? “Best before” and other food labelling terms can cause confusion, and many are surprised to learn that best before dates are simply a guideline, not a rule set in stone.
As we look to the next decade, we can see the food industry changing. Food waste is top-of-mind for consumers, and as a result several food manufacturing companies have made public commitments to reduce operational food waste and large retailers have been introducing apps that encourage customers to buy near-expiring foods at a reduced cost.
Over 35 years ago, Calgary Food Bank founders recognized the importance of redirecting viable food to support the community. We continue to connect the dots through food gleaning direct from industry. We connect with food retailers to help them understand the importance of donating quality items; and we work with transportation companies to get the food where it needs to be.