NPR

French Food Waste Law Changing How Grocery Stores Approach Excess Food

Two years ago, France introduced a law to force supermarkets to donate unsold food to charities and food banks. Skeptics called it unworkable at the time, but there are signs the effort is succeeding.
Djerbrani checks a selection of food to be donated from a French grocery store.

Every morning at a supermarket called Auchun in central Paris, Magdalena Dos Santos has a rendez-vous with "Doudou," a driver from the French food bank.

Dos Santos, who runs the deli section of the store, is also in charge of supervising the store's food donations. She sets aside prepared dishes that are nearing their expiration date.

Opening a giant fridge, Dos Santos shows what else the store is giving away –

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from NPR

NPR2 min read
A Baltimore Bridge Collapse Timeline; Disney And DeSantis Settle Legal Battle
Two bodies were recovered from the Baltimore bridge collapse and investigators released a timeline of events. The Walt Disney Company and Gov. Ron DeSantis have settled their lawsuits.
NPR3 min readPopular Culture & Media Studies
The Baltimore Bridge Collapse Gave Conspiracy Theorists A Chance To Boost Themselves
One researcher says it has become "standard" for any unexpected event "to be run through a filter of conspiracy theories based on the personal brand of the person spreading the theory."
NPR3 min read
Kickoffs Will Look Radically Different In The NFL Next Year. Here's How And Why
For years, the NFL has tweaked kickoff rules to reduce injuries, resulting in kickoffs that were safer but more boring. The changes aim to re-introduce excitement while keeping injuries low.

Related Books & Audiobooks