Went to a Food Bank in Fresno and Noticed a Big Problem

I volunteered at the Fresno food bank last Saturday and saw a lot of bags filled with expired canned goods. One had a dented can of beans from March 2023. They said donations pile up and folks just grab whatever. Has anyone else dealt with sorting through old stock at their local pantry?

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evaallen16d ago

Last Saturday I sorted through a whole pallet of green beans at the St. Vincent de Paul pantry in Modesto, most were from 2022. We made a rule to check dates right at the donation drop-off, not after bags hit the shelves. Dented cans go straight into a "use today" bin we put by the exit, people love that for quick meals. I'd ask your coordinator about a two-month rolling shelf system, it sounds fancy but it's just putting newest stuff in the back. Also, train volunteers to spot swollen cans, those are the real problem, not just expired ones. That alone cut our waste by half.