Slightly related, throwing food away and the expiration date is a tricky thing.

My dad works at grocery store and initially, they were allowed to bring the food home once it expires for a symbolic cost (10% of the price or something). Soon after that, the employees started to hide food so that they can take it home almost for free. So it didn't last long.

Same thing happens at restaurants. If a restaurant gives away excess food to employees at the end of the night, you're guaranteeing that employees will then cook excess food to take home a shitload.

As the saying goes, "This is why we can't have nice things."

>>> As the saying goes, "This is why we can't have nice things."

Nah, it's just basic human nature. Would be really naive to expect something different.

I don't think it's unfair to say "Human nature is why we can't have nice things."

Yeah, people respond to incentives. It sucks sometimes.

They're not stealing from the 'expired food' area.

Expired food in many countries ends up in food pantries as the date for canned and dried food has more to do with freshness/taste than actual health issues. So its already being socialized.

Unfortunately in the US, most grocers and corporate stores do not donate their food. They lock the dumpster they throw expired food in. I've heard of places that bleach their dumpsters so people don't break in to eat the food.

I do know of a handful of shops that donate, though. They tend to be much smaller.