A big thanks to reader Holli who forwarded this article about how Ex Trader Joe’s President is turning expired food into cheap meals.
As you know I feel food waste in America is a HUGE problem, and apparently, so does Ex Trader Joe’s president, Doug Rauch. He is opening a market in Dorchester, MA that will take food that is past its sell-by date {only slightly} and turn it into quality prepared meals that will compete with fast-food prices.
The idea came to him after being disgusted with the nearly 40% rate of food waste due to overstock, excess, etc.
He argues {and I agree} that food that has a sell-by date of Oct. 1st, can reasonably be cooked and turned into edible whole foods on Oct. 2nd. His aim is to serve communities that have little to no access to prepared whole foods, all while cutting down on the needless tossing out of edible food.
I have to say, I applaud his efforts–most the stories you read these days have more to do with the…well, deplorable, practices of our food system. It’s a happy day when you get to hear about someone {with actual power and money} attempting to rectify it.
How about YOU, would you eat at Mr. Rauch’s market, knowing the food was slightly past the sell-by date? I know I would–in fact, I smell a new vacation destination coming on!
~Mavis
This post may contain affiliate links. These affiliate links help support this site. For more information, please see my disclosure policy. Thank you for supporting One Hundred Dollars a Month.
Eddie C Jordan says
You bet I would. I took 8 cans 9 of peaches and dehydrated them. I cleaned put the pantry a bit plus saved food from spoiling.
Laura says
No, I would not. The man wants to take food past it’s expiration date (the kind you get for free!) and then sell it at “fast food prices.” Well, we drove through a fast food place a week or so ago, and the cost for two burger meals was the same as if we had gone to a sit-down, family restaurant.
No. I won’t pay for someone to profit on expired goods they may pay nothing for.
I eat “expired” products all the time, but I won’t buy them already that way. I buy near the date at 50% off. But, the article is talking about produce only, if I read it correctly, which I never see “use by” dates on anyway.
The man is quoted as saying food banks do it all the time. But, they don’t turn around and charge for it! That is what is bothering me the most. Get all that “expired” produce to the food banks, or kitchens, so it can be prepared the next day. Don’t charge people for “expired” food!
Plus, I know some stores who won’t give their “expired” foods away, for fear of lawsuits. Sure, the food is good, but it just takes one person to know it’s “expired” to claim they got sick.
Cecily says
I have to agree with you Laura. It would be different if it was a non profit and he was selling the prepared meals at cost to those who qualified, like you have to for food stamps or at a food bank.
Jenifer says
Laura, you said that so well.
lisa says
Loved this story. Would definitely eat there.
sarah says
My local market chain uses the scratch and dent produces and stuff in their kitchens for the to go food products. it helps keep their costs in check.
Alys says
This is an amazing idea! This issue is completely under the radar for most people, but even on a personal, household scale you can make a difference. It’s awesome to see grocery stores beginning to recognize that this issue needs to be addressed. I am actually interning with a nonprofit, Food Shift, that is addressing the issue of food waste, and helping create jobs in the process. I was so surprised to discover that 40% of the food available in this country is wasted. That’s a crazy amount! There’s a lot of potential for good to come of systems to utilize what would be wasted, though, as is evident in this article.
Grazina says
I would eat there on principle. Why spend my money at a place that contributes to the problem by creating additional surplus food that gets wasted when I could put it towards solving the problem? Besides, I think that in such a litigious society as the US, “best by” dates have a lot of “wiggle room” built into them so that there would not be even a slightest chance of anyone getting any poisoning or something else that just possibly could be related to the consumed food.
debbie says
I would donate it to the local soup kitchen for some healthy soup for the homeless.
Savanna says
I don’t know where I read it (I think a flyer they sent out) but Fred Meyers donates all their past sell by date food to shelters. They freeze it. I thought that this was pretty cool. Theres the only thing I could fine and sounds like they do more than just food. http://www.fredmeyer.com/healthy_living/green_living/Pages/waste_reduction.aspx
JS says
The title of this article is misleading. The food in question is past its sell by date, which means exactly what it says. That is not its expiration date. That is totally different. That being said, Mr. Rauch is not doing anything to help people who need help getting food. He is simply touting a “new” way to sell some of the food that they are otherwise unnecessarily throwing away. If he really wanted help people who need help getting food, he should donate it to the food shelf or give the proceeds from the sale of this food to one. People who go to the food shelf generally cannot afford his version of “cheap” food (ie fast food). Fast food for two can easily cost more than $20 for one meal for two people.
Oh, and this is not a new way to use up older food in stores. If you are buying anything that is made on site in the store, it is very likely that the ingredients weren’t ordered especially to make that food. The employees used food that is closest to expiration off of the shelves to use it up. Why would the store spend additional money buying food they already have to make things especially for that use and waste food that is on the shelves?
Chrystal says
Wow…some people are just cranky over everything, aren’t they? It’s obvious that the naysayers leaving comments did not read the article that was linked in your post, Mavis. If they had, they’d realize they’re way off the mark. I, for one, think it’s an awesome idea. I’ve worked in soup kitchens and food pantries and know that most low-income families are at the mercy of whatever processed, chemical-laden garbage has been donated by would-be well-wishers. Here is an opportunity to have an amazing whole-foods meal at deeply-discounted prices. That’s not something that most inner-city families have access to. Well done, Mr. Rausch!
Jodie W says
Being that I’m one of those low-income families that “are at the mercy of whatever processed, chemical-laden garbage,” I think this is a nice idea. Rarely can I even afford a “real” meal at McDonalds, but if we are thirsty and have run out of water (which we carry with us) and are out, my daughter and I will buy large drink and split it for $1, and if we’re very hungry and have the extra money, we’ll each have a $1 sandwich. If we had the opportunity to spend $1 each for something healthier, that would be appreciative.
I used to work near this hamburger joint that made really fresh sandwiches. They were willing to sell me tomato sandwiches for $1, although most people didn’t know they would do that. They would even offer to add lettuce and cheese, if I wanted. I love how they were willing to do this. I was in a situation that, if I did not leave for lunch, I would get stuck working through lunch while eating, so I often took a walk and bought that for my lunch and drank water. Healthier than most cheap meals.
Amanda S says
Haha, Dorchester is not exactly a vacation destination! It’s the area of Boston you try to stay out of! However, your last trip to Boston (or what I think was your last trip to Boston) was probably cut short after the events at the marathon–or at least you didn’t get to experience as much of the city as you would have liked–so yes, you should plan a return trip to our fair city!