Significant Public Interest?

[Pretty Boy]

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/jan/28/three-charged-vagrancy-act-food-skip-iceland

Unbelievable.

[easty]

Ridiculous, but at least there has been a quick reversal.

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/jan/29/prosecutors-drop-case-men-food-iceland-bins

[Pretty Boy]

Ridiculous, but at least there has been a quick reversal.

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/jan/29/prosecutors-drop-case-men-food-iceland-bins

Didn't see that.

Glad a bit common sense has prevailed.

[Peevemor]

In France there's a plan to introduce 60€ on the spot fines for this "offence", though there's been a huge backlash from the general public. If people have to scavenge in bins for food, where's a £50 fine going to leave them? And this is meant to be a socialist government. :wtf:

[s.a.m]

In France there's a plan to introduce 60€ on the spot fines for this "offence", though there's been a huge backlash from the general public. If people have to scavenge in bins for food, where's a £50 fine going to leave them? And this is meant to be a socialist government. :wtf:

I saw a programme on TV5 which looked at groups of worthy souls who rake in supermarket (I think) bins to produce low cost, hot food for people (can't remember if it was targeted at needy people, or just making a point). It was interesting; putting un-spoiled food to good use seems like a really good idea, but other than doing it 'guerrilla' style (like these people), you'd assume that food safety legislation would prevent it being done more formally.

[Jack]

You rake in the buckets for something to eat
Your mum goes to Iceland, you think it's a treat

Well now you know yambos!

[Peevemor]

I saw a programme on TV5 which looked at groups of worthy souls who rake in supermarket (I think) bins to produce low cost, hot food for people (can't remember if it was targeted at needy people, or just making a point). It was interesting; putting un-spoiled food to good use seems like a really good idea, but other than doing it 'guerrilla' style (like these people), you'd assume that food safety legislation would prevent it being done more formally.

There's a set up here called the "restos du coeur" which was initiated by a comedian, Coluche, in 1985. They provide hot meals for those in need as well as groceries (including essentials like nappies, basic toiletries, etc.). They currently distribute over 100m meals per year and have clocked up over one billion meals since their inception. All the "restos" are staffed entirely by volunteers, many of whom have at some point benefitted themselves from the charity's aid.

The majority of their income comes from a series of celebrity concerts including TV rights and dvd sales, however they also rely heavily on donations from farmers, local bakers, etc., but most importantly the big supermarket chains. They donate tons of produce that they either know isn't going to sell or is nearing it's sell-by date. They quite rightly get a tax break based on the amount they donate.

However, the French government are currently thinking of doing away with the tax break, which would leave "les restos" together with many other charities well in the *****.

Socialists my @rse.

[s.a.m]

There's a set up here called the "restos du coeur" which was initiated by a comedian, Coluche, in 1985. They provide hot meals for those in need as well as groceries (including essentials like nappies, basic toiletries, etc.). They currently distribute over 100m meals per year and have clocked up over one billion meals since their inception. All the "restos" are staffed entirely by volunteers, many of whom have at some point benefitted themselves from the charity's aid.

The majority of their income comes from a series of celebrity concerts including TV rights and dvd sales, however they also rely heavily on donations from farmers, local bakers, etc., but most importantly the big supermarket chains. They donate tons of produce that they either know isn't going to sell or is nearing it's sell-by date. They quite rightly get a tax break based on the amount they donate.

However, the French government are currently thinking of doing away with the tax break, which would leave "les restos" together with many other charities well in the *****.

Socialists my @rse.

That sounds like a really useful project, and it's a shame it's under threat - sounds like something we should be emulating, and finding ways to get round the red tape to make it possible. It does ring a bell from the programme I saw, and I remember the name ' restos du coeur', but the gadgeys I saw were definitely rifling through bins. Didn't look like an organised collection with the shops' consent. :dunno: Maybe that was a different project. Wish I'd paid attention now. :brickwall

[Phil D. Rolls]

If the food was in the bin, how could it have been worth £35?