SHAMEFUL WASTE OF FOOD WITHOUT SOCIAL CONSCIENCE.

FOOD *****'S MARKET - NEW MARKET

Once a week I go to the New Market FLM specifically to buy their "yesterday's bread" at half price, to give to the lady who works for me. She then takes it to some of her local nursery schools in Thokoza, where children go to school hungry, every day. It is a drop in an ocean of the poverty and misery plaguing our country.

So I went this morning and was surprised to see there is no day-old bread, despite me being there early. Had a look around and spotted the trolley in the bakery. When I asked one of the staff when they are bringing it out, I was told that they no longer do this. I asked her what then happens to the bread from yesterday, and was told that it is available to staff only to buy - and what is left, they throw away. When I asked to speak to a manager, I was referred to a lady who told me that these are "instructions from Head Office". As Manny (who sorted out the meat issue) was not in the store at the time, I insisted on speaking the bakery manager about this. His name is Andries. I was told that he is in the front office, they will call him. So instead of coming out to see me, he sends a staff member to come and give me some of the "yesterday's bread". ***ard. I left it there, as clearly, Andries has no interest in anything his customers have to say to him.

Now, Andries (or whoever at HQ who is responsible for this wastage), here is why I believe you have NO social conscience:

1. Folks like me do what we can, to relieve the plight of people in our communities (I know I'm not the only person who does this). But you would rather have children go hungry, than make it affordable to someone like me, by forcing me to pay double. Food you are going to throw away, you don't want ME to BUY, to feed someone else. 2. Food you are going to throw away, you make your staff pay for? How does that work? Why not just give it to the staff, when it's going to the dumpster anyway? As I am not employed by you (thank God), I don't mind paying for the bread. Oh, that's right: you've put a stop to that. 3. When I got there this morning, your morning bake wasn't done yet, so there was no fresh, today bread. What WAS out and available to buy, was selective YESTERDAY'S bread. So I would have paid full price for it? Er....how does that work then? 4. Even if you make your staff pay for the bread, why do you throw away what is left at the end of the day? Have YOU ever gone to bed hungry?

It is very, very clear that the interest of you and/your company, is solely to make a profit and step on the little guy. You clearly have NO interest in respecting your staff (can you imagine what it feel like for them, when they get paid minimum wage, to have to pay for something you're going to throw away...and then watch you throw it away?) It is also very clear that you/your company have NO interest in community upliftment and/or involvement and that you really, simply do not have a conscience. It's all about the money, right?

Here are some suggestions for you:

1. Stop making your staff pay for stuff you are going to throw away anyway. They might be more loyal to you, and have the WANT to serve us with a smile; 2. Stop being so ****** greedy! If you're going to throw the damn bread away, rather let folks like me BUY it to feed someone else. You KNOW that every morning there are people in your store, buying the "yesterday's bread". Has it become too difficult for you to make it more affordable to those who cannot afford fresh bread? Do you REALLY think someone would rather buy day-old bread, if they can afford the fresh? Folks who rely on that bread, cannot afford the fresh bread. 3. Why not reach out and make contact with institutions in our area, to donate the left-over bread of the day to them? If you looked up from counting your profits, you would see the need in the community. Contact schools, nursery schools, old age homes, shelters.....to name but a few that I support. Get hold of them and arrange for someone to fetch the bread each day. If you find yourself too busy with the money-counting, find someone who will do this for you. If you need some education in the field of Humanity, or just plain morality and graciousness, give me a call: I shall gladly assist you with understanding just how wrong what you are doing, is.

I urge you to consider just how shameful this specific "policy" of yours is. Think of the kids around you - not 5km from your store - who go to school hungry, while YOUR kids have had breakfast, no doubt.

Since Andries could not give me the time of day this morning, I am not holding my breath for a positive response. I only hope that you do the right thing and that you have a good night's sleep...with the dinner you could afford, in your belly.