Trader Joe’s Ex-President to Open a Grocery That Sells Expired Food

We’ve all had to empty out our fridges at some point, chucking those jars of mayo and pickles that are a day or two past the date printed on the lid. Looks like there’s a little more life to them than you think.

Former Trader Joe’s President Doug Rauch believes that one of our country’s biggest wastes is all the food thrown away because it’s mistakenly believed to be expired. Each year, the United States discards about $165 billion in U.S.-produced food. The reason behind it is that consumers mistakenly believe the “sell-by” label as a declaration of expiration.

Raunch wants to try to educate consumers as well as reduce produce waste by opening a store that not only carries food other chains won’t carry but also teaches people that those dates on your groceries are more or less just a myth. In May, The Daily Table, part grocery store and part cafe, will open in Dorchester, Mass. The store will carry inexpensive healthy foods and catering. The Daily Table, Raunch specified, is not a food bank or soup kitchen. Rather, it’s a retail store marketed towards the working poor, providing them with more options towards healthy eating.

H/T Salon