Unfortunately in the US it's not permitted for shops to donate bread to homeless shelters. This is a liability issue; the food is thrown out because it's "old," or has an implicit health hazard by FDA/USDA guidelines. Shops that donate this bread to homeless shelters could be held liable for any food poisoning or other harm brought to individuals to whom it's given.

Kind of an absurd regulation, as the food is usually still very fresh after one day at the bakery/shop, but the idea behind it is to ensure that food given to homeless shelters meets quality requirements. (One of those well-intentioned regulations with bad results, as opposed to the bad-intention regulations against homeless people, though the US does have those too unfortunately.)

When I worked for a restaurant right out of college, we were not permitted to give the food to homeless individuals outside the shop. I would usually take the food several blocks from the restaurant and give it away there (the idea being it was then "me" giving the food away as an individual rather than the restaurant, who was then liable), but I don't know if that actually was "ok."

Perhaps the husband could stop by a shelter and give it away on his way back home, but given the quantity of food, the presence of labels and other identifying information, and the husband's role as an employee of the company, it might still be a problem.

Seriously? Not great. In the UK, some supermarkets have official deals with local homeless shelters whereby they take the food that is past its sell-by date but still within its use-by date. And of course there should be more of them doing this, the homeless shelters are still all strapped for both cash and food (two of my friends have worked in homeless shelters).

Hmm. What else could be done with leftover bread?

Agreed. I think that there are ways for places to donate to homeless shelters, but it involves bureaucracy and red tape. Just giving "old" food is a no-no. I understand in theory the reason why-- that homeless people deserve the same health regulations non-homeless people do-- but in practice it leads to a lot of waste. And as much as a I am grateful for food-safety regulations (especially living in India where there are none!!), I think there's got to be a middle ground between no food safety and throwing day-old bread out!

What about limiting your hubby on HOW MUCH he can bring home. Like - say 1 or 2 loaves a week. So, he can still bring SOME home, but not over do it? Any friends or family that would be interested in it, too?

I have to say, I know there are other things to put on bread than butter. BUT, My goodness, a piece of toasted bread with some melty butter is perfection!

That said, I feel bad for you! I purposely DO NOT buy seeded good kosher NYC style rye bread because I will literally eat it in a day. With the butter of course! There is just no other way!

If you look at his argument on saving grocery's ask him how many loaves a bread you as a family would normally eat. Probably 1, possibly 2. Then tell him to limit it to that.

If he brings home more.. feed it to the birds!! or start a compost

But, man that is pretty horrible! I wouldn't survive on eating right either!

I used to work for a cake bakery, so I completely understand where you are coming from. I suppose if the bread is still in date, you could give it to a church. I know someone around here who does that. Once a week he donates "leftover" in date bread to the church. People come by during the week and take what they want. Do you think he could do that?

(Hehe pssst the OP's post is nearly four years old ) Lots of great suggestions though, I'm a carb-o-holic myself

Give the bread to neighbors or if you work take it to work, I'll bet coworkers would be delighted. I once worked with a guy who had a moonlighting job at Otis Spunklemeyer, he would bring in the mistakes, we all loved to see Dan coming with his mishapen cupcakes. I wasn't dieting then, should have been but wasn't..

HA that's awesome! I just saw new posts and figured it was current! LOL

LOL, oops! I do not understand why people initially respond to posts that old.... but then again I didn't pay attention to the date and responded too so, haha. Moot point I guess. Anyway thanks for letting us know before we get too wrapped up in the Great Bread Dilemma of 2007!

I am sure the replies will be pertinent to somebody.

HA and then wonder why the OP wasn't responding to all our great ideas!!