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FormigaX t1_ja82zgx wrote

Reply to comment by LeftToaster in ELI5: why do grocery stores in the US keep such a large inventory? Aside from being prepared for episodic panic buying like toilet paper or bottled water, is there an economic reason to do this? How much of the food ends up going bad? by DrEverythingBAlright

FYI there's an app called "Flash Food" that coordinates grocery stores selling the last few items or items close to their expiration date for a deep discount. I snap up entire boxes of produce for $5, guacamole, fresh mozzarella, etc. at more than 50% off.

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SpaceAngel2001 t1_ja8ezrv wrote

You can also get huge discounts for near expiration food from restaurant supply companies. For $25 - 75, I buy a pallet, generally 2000 lbs of food. We don't know what we'll get and the deal is we have to take it all.

We distribute anything human usable thru our network. Anything we can't give away goes to our cattle, pigs, chickens, and a wildlife sanctuary that feeds bears, wolves, tigers, etc.

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SirReal_Realities t1_ja8bl9k wrote

Damn. You live in an urban area or outside the US? Assuming it is Flashfood (one word) app, it doesn’t look like any store does that in my area. Shame, I would love to buy discounted uglies.

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PM_me_oak_trees t1_ja8ggn8 wrote

My experience growing up in a rural area was that you could shop during the last hour before closing on different nights until you run into the manager who has to clear out the old produce etc. Make friends with that person and come back on the night they work, and they can probably get you good deals on whatever is about to be tossed. YMMV, and of course you have to be a bit of a night owl to make it work, but those were the best produce deals I've ever seen.

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OogumSanskimmer t1_ja8h3nt wrote

It looks like it's mostly in north east states and Canada. Nothing in the southeast except a couple in Florida. Too bad. Would have been nice.

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hrcen t1_ja8jo9n wrote

Yea, my mom got my wife and I onto this. It is super nice when it is close to the weekend and I can grab up some chicken for a quick Saturday/Sunday smoke for a reallllllly affordable price.

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