What Exactly Does Costco Do With Unsold Bakery Items?

Food waste has long been a concern for many, especially considering that an estimated 80% of food tossed in the trash is still safe to consume. There's a useful trick to buying perishable items in the grocery store so they don't go bad as quickly, and knowing the difference between "best-by" and expiration dates can also help prevent food waste at home. But if perishable food is still in a store like Costco after the expiration date has already passed, the grocer legally can't sell it — yes, even if it's perfectly edible. Still, bakery items don't often get thrown away at the membership warehouse. Instead of filling dumpsters with unsold goods, Costco makes sure those items end up going to those in need.

In the United States, Costco gives its unsold baked goods to Feeding America. The organization is a leading actor in sourcing unwanted or unused provisions and distributing them to local food banks, where they help nourish folks who would otherwise have difficulty purchasing the products themselves. Not only does this help the communities around Costco locations, it's also a way for the big-box store to contribute to reducing the sizable amount of food waste generated globally — estimated to be 1.6 billion tons every year.

Costco's commitment to reducing food waste goes further than just donating unsellable baked goods. Some Costco products people avoid are perfectly safe to eat and would be welcomed with open arms by many, so the store makes sure they go to a good home instead of throwing them out. Dairy products, unsold produce, and proteins on the decline are also given to Feeding America in the hopes they won't end up in a landfill when plenty of folks would happily consume them.

Donating unwanted food is just one way the warehouse lifts up local communities. The company regularly gives to charities like the Special Olympics, Boys and Girls Clubs, and the Make-a-Wish Foundation, among others. It also gets involved when natural disaster strikes. When tornados, hurricanes, or earthquakes impact people around the country, Costco encourages patrons to donate to the Red Cross through a link on the store's website.