Would you buy discount groceries?

kikibaby · November 2009

They had a story on my local news last night about discount grocery stores- basically, places that sell recently expired foods or dented cans, or just stuff that looks too ugly to sell at full price. I felt bad thinking it was really gross, because I'm sure it's a great way for some families to save money. But it really did gross me out. Am I a snob? Would you (do you?) shop at one of these stores?

ggmae · November 2009

I buy discounted bagels. The grocery store cuts up day-old bagels into pieces and sells them in huge bags for $1.50. I can't pass that deal up. I just need to make sure that they are all eaten within a few days or they get stale.

J&K10910 · November 2009

Things like dented cans wouldn't bother me. And some foods the "expiration date" is a really a "sell by" date and they're still good. So if you're going to use them right away or within a couple days, whatever.I personally would if I needed to save the money. As long as nothing is unhealthy or illegal or anything like that.

stina93446 · November 2009

I have never done this, but I could see how this could really save a family money. Not all food is bad right after expiration. I wouldn't buy milk that was overdue, but rice, maybe.

ootmother2 · November 2009

NO to expired foods. A dented can, iffy.

jforeman5 · November 2009

We lived off of this growing up, and we never got sick or anything. I would definitely do it again.

nda_roxybabe · November 2009

Call me a snob but I couldn't. Dented cans and bread or bakery items that are on clearance -yes. I could never bring myself to buy food from the dollar store or food city or anything...I don't know what it is.

eastunder1 · November 2009

No. I wouldn't. If that makes me snob, I'm ok with that. I would have no problem buying a can of soup that had a little dent in the side, but expired food? Are they serious? I'd rather pinch money elsewhere.

TurtlesAllTheWayDown · November 2009

I'm pretty big on buying organics and stuff, but in theory, if I had a really limited food budget, then no, I wouldn't have a problem. But it also depends what it is. Something I could freeze? Sure. Dented cans? As long as they weren't bulging and looked okay.

kikibaby · November 2009

I think it's great that it's there for people who can't afford groceries. Groceries can get crazy expensive! I'm even grossed out by dented cans- I can't help but think everything has botulism. Terrible of me, I know. I'm really, really anal about anything food/kitchen-related, though. I thorougly clean my kitchen at LEAST once a day. And I throw stuff out sometimes before it expires.

jforeman5 · November 2009

For those of you who wouldn't, I don't think you are being snobby. Expired food is definitely not ideal. I do think that they set the dates really early just to be on the safe side, but the food is still safe for families to eat. For me, this would be a last resort, as it was for my family.

Stackeye210 · November 2009

Expired food - NO. But I do buy "managers special" sometimes. It's when the sell by date is approaching and really they just recommend that you use it or freeze it right away. You can get really great deals.

TurtlesAllTheWayDown · November 2009

I do sort of wonder who would be responsible if someone got sick from this food. Do you have to sign a waiver? If not, I would be more likely to assume it's fairly safe.

kikibaby · November 2009

Good point, Stack- I did buy some pork chops that were on "special" because I was going to use them that night.

smokeybailey · November 2009

I don't think that a store can actually sell expired food. Approaching the sell by date, yes, but after, I don't think so.We used to go to the Weber's day old bakery for bread for the ducks. We'd buy pies and other stuff too for ourselves. I also am a big fan of King's Hawaiian day old bread (they are located near me). Yum.

kikibaby · November 2009

I have no doubt that it's safe- they wouldn't be able to sell it if it wasn't.

sarabellam · November 2009

Expired? No way. Reduced for quick sale for items approaching their expiration date? All. The. Time.

sucrets4 · November 2009

This is not really related, but why does soda have an expiration date now? It was sold for years without one...did we suddenly discover that it goes bad?

opalsky007 · November 2009

Diet soda has an expiration date because the aspartame goes bad.Interesting factoid: stores are not legally required to put expiration dates on meat. There was at least one chain embarrassed a few years ago because they got caught relabeling meat after it had passed its "sell by" date. What they'd done wasn't illegal, just very sketchy.

janedoe1113a · November 2009

I don't buy from those kind of groceries stores, but my mom does. She's not had a bad experience. I can't bring myself to do it though.

carrieoz_76 · November 2009

I always think I should, but then I don't. And I don't really want to. And I don't really like those stores.Snob | | v

carrieoz_76 · November 2009

ok, down arrow fail. i've also given up on caps. it's friday, what can i say.

ricksang · November 2009

It depends on how expried. A few days, sure. A week or more, no. I have shopped at discount stores and bought dented boxes or cans NBD.

Leah&Christian09 · November 2009

I was under the impression that it was illegal to sell expired food.I'm a big fan of day old bread, or about to expire food, if I"m using it right away.

phoeny_moonstar · November 2009

depends on what I want/need to buy to be perfectly honest. day old bread? awesome for croutons or to put into soups to thicken them up. really expired potatoes? not so much

Would you buy discount groceries?

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