I completely understand the litigation problem. But, property? If it's getting tossed in the garbage anyway it's not chipping away an anyones individual rights. If I throw out my couch and someone goes by and picks it up. Great! someone can use it. This kinda of thing happens a lot. If I throw it away nobody is taking it. Same for food that is likely good and can be put to good use.
Good news! You are no longer allowed to throw away your couch. You have to take to a couch redistribution center. I'm sure you can arrange for transport and pay any associated costs, as opposed to just setting it out on the curb and being done with it.
Of course it is so much better to just "be done with it" then be a human and humane to get it to people who need it. The people who come pick up garbage don't do it for free either. That same money can be used to get it to someone in need.
If France can make a humane decision to help their citizens in need so can the US.
Thus my point about diminishing property rights. Who pays those associated costs? Pickup, storage, and delivery. Mind you, it's going to have to be incredibly efficient, as the food is likely already past expiration. The costs get passed on to the end consumer, and most of it going in the garbage anyway.
I've worked meals on wheels and at a local food bank. Every time there is a food drive, we get tons of expired creamed corn and cranberry sauce from three thanksgivings ago. Ratio of what we can actually give out to what goes in the dumpster is about half each. This is a "feel good" idea that isn't going to work for it's stated purpose, feeding the hungry. It might be successful in generating fines though, so for the government it's a win. Want to help the hungry? Donate time, money, or decent food to your local food bank. Don't have one? See if you can start one.
BTW, I'm going to need you to hang on to that couch. You don't need a spare bedroom, the homeless person we are sending over will do just fine in your living room.
Not all food from grocery stores are expired or bad when they dump it. I have a feeling selfless volunteers such as yourself would be happy to donate time to pick up food from stores who are trashing it anyway.
I completely understand the litigation problem. But, property? If it's getting tossed in the garbage anyway it's not chipping away an anyones individual rights. If I throw out my couch and someone goes by and picks it up. Great! someone can use it. This kinda of thing happens a lot. If I throw it away nobody is taking it. Same for food that is likely good and can be put to good use.
Good news! You are no longer allowed to throw away your couch. You have to take to a couch redistribution center. I'm sure you can arrange for transport and pay any associated costs, as opposed to just setting it out on the curb and being done with it.
Of course it is so much better to just "be done with it" then be a human and humane to get it to people who need it. The people who come pick up garbage don't do it for free either. That same money can be used to get it to someone in need.
If France can make a humane decision to help their citizens in need so can the US.
Thus my point about diminishing property rights. Who pays those associated costs? Pickup, storage, and delivery. Mind you, it's going to have to be incredibly efficient, as the food is likely already past expiration. The costs get passed on to the end consumer, and most of it going in the garbage anyway.
I've worked meals on wheels and at a local food bank. Every time there is a food drive, we get tons of expired creamed corn and cranberry sauce from three thanksgivings ago. Ratio of what we can actually give out to what goes in the dumpster is about half each. This is a "feel good" idea that isn't going to work for it's stated purpose, feeding the hungry. It might be successful in generating fines though, so for the government it's a win. Want to help the hungry? Donate time, money, or decent food to your local food bank. Don't have one? See if you can start one.
BTW, I'm going to need you to hang on to that couch. You don't need a spare bedroom, the homeless person we are sending over will do just fine in your living room.
Not all food from grocery stores are expired or bad when they dump it. I have a feeling selfless volunteers such as yourself would be happy to donate time to pick up food from stores who are trashing it anyway.
Back to the litigious thing. We asked the local chain stores and were turned down with the exception of the Thanksgiving and Christmas food drives.
And stuff that isn't expired goes back to the distribution center for store credit.