At the end of the day, some bakery products remain unsold. Instead of simply clearing them out, one bakery chain has been reported to donate eligible products to charities. Here’s what reportedly happens to some of its unsold pastries after closing time.
Donated Instead of Discounted
BreadTalk has been associated with donating unsold tray-displayed baked products to selected charities instead of offering a 50% closing-time sale. The practice gained attention after a Facebook post was reported by Interaksyon in 2019.
What Happens to the Leftovers
Unsold baked products may be given to charitable organizations while they are still suitable for consumption. Cakes and packaged bread reportedly follow different donation timelines based on their shelf life.
Local Charities Can Benefit
The beneficiary may differ depending on the branch. One reported example is the SM Center Ormoc City branch, which identified the Hayag Foundation, an organization caring for abandoned and orphaned children, as its beneficiary.
A Different Way to Handle Food Waste
The reported practice gives suitable unsold products another purpose instead of immediately becoming waste. It also allows individual branches to support organizations within their communities.
Not Every Branch May Be the Same
Donation arrangements can vary by branch and product, so customers should not assume that every location follows the same process. Still, the reported practice offers an interesting look at what can happen to bakery products that do not sell before closing time.
