Why do some food stores and restaurants (fast food) waste the food they do not sell ?

On June 15th my family walked into a grocery store in our neighborhood.  It was around seven o'clock in the evening, and the deli was preparing to close. My wife was interested in a few of their cream-cheese poppers, but the man in the deli refused to sell them to her. "We have shutdown for the night man",  instead of packing up the food, he proceeded to toss it into the large fifty gallon garbage can. My wife inquired to why he was doing this. She was told that it was the store's policy. So right there in the store, in front of many onlooking customers, he continued to remove pan after pan of chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, vegetables, and other deli foods; emptying them into the large garbage can. This is not the first time we have seen this we have come across this in Casinos, Fast Food restaurants, and other types of food business.

Why do companies choose to toss the food?

Lawsuits are the simple answer. Yes as sad as it is if a person eats that food and say they get sick or creates an issue the company is setting itself up for a lawsuit. Also rules and regulations from government agencies like the HEATH DEPARTMENT will not allow companies to do this. As sad as it is it is a true fact these companies would love to give the food to people in need.


Our society has made it almost impossible for companies to give food away that was cooked and stored. Though there is most likely nothing wrong with the food it is just to much liability for the companies to give it away. Companies would be held responsible if anything happened or even if it was suggested. Also this could hurt the reputation or even worse bring a nightmare for the company in lawsuits, complaints, and other issues.
Some stores do donate things that are no pre cooked often stores donate to food banks Bread, Canned goods or merchandise that can be easily cooked. Because they did not cook it they are not responsible for any situation that may come up with these foods. Donating foods like fruits and veggies also do not land stores in any type of responsibility so often those are donated as well.
Can the food be sold ?
This is a more interesting concept I did ask the man at our local store if I could buy it all but the answer was no. If a third party bought the food and donated it the company should no longer be responsible. I would think the stores could discount the food. It would it be better if the people did not get food out of the dumpster ?




I really do not have an answer as to why a third party could not buy the food and do with it what they please. I am sure there is some stupid regulation or law however that prevents it from happening.

The bottom line is there is a ton of food wasted though some casinos sell the food and waste to pig farms in our area it still seems a lot of homeless and hungry people could be feed.