A Raising Cane’s employee told Reddit they frequently see "huge garbage bags" of chicken and fries discarded, sometimes due to breading standards, and questioned why edible items aren’t donated. Commenters pointed to food-safety and liability concerns but also cited the 1996 Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act that protects good-faith donors. USDA data note roughly 40% of U.S. food goes uneaten, creating economic and environmental costs, and Raising Cane’s says it partners with local food banks when organizations apply via its website. The thread highlighted donation procedures, composting, and storage tips as ways to reduce waste.
Raising Cane’s Worker Claims Stores Toss 'Huge Garbage Bags' of Chicken and Fries — Why Aren't Edible Items Donated?
A Raising Cane’s employee told Reddit they frequently see "huge garbage bags" of chicken and fries discarded, sometimes due to breading standards, and questioned why edible items aren’t donated. Commenters pointed to food-safety and liability concerns but also cited the 1996 Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act that protects good-faith donors. USDA data note roughly 40% of U.S. food goes uneaten, creating economic and environmental costs, and Raising Cane’s says it partners with local food banks when organizations apply via its website. The thread highlighted donation procedures, composting, and storage tips as ways to reduce waste.
04:55 PM, 11/15/2025Environment
Employee Alleges Large Daily Food Waste at Raising Cane’s
A Raising Cane’s employee took to Reddit after becoming alarmed at how much food the chain reportedly discards each day. The poster said they regularly see “huge garbage bags” filled with chicken and fries — sometimes because the breading doesn’t meet store standards — and asked why edible items aren’t redirected to shelters or day centers.
“I’m beginning to question the morality of Cane’s as a company,” the employee wrote.
Commenters on the thread suggested two main explanations. Some argued that liability and food-safety rules make donation of cooked chicken difficult: cooked items that sit out too long can fall outside health regulations. Others pointed to existing legal protections for donors and said stores could adopt procedures to keep surplus food safe for redistribution.
The Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act, passed in 1996, shields food donors from civil and criminal liability when donations are made in good faith and later cause problems for recipients. Several commenters referenced that law and noted grocery chains such as Trader Joe’s and Kroger have redistributed food at risk of spoiling, for example after power outages.
One user urged public scrutiny: “Share this to a local news station, maybe they can shed some light on the missed opportunity to help the community.”
Wider context: waste, costs and climate impacts
U.S. Department of Agriculture data indicate food insecurity is rising even while large shares of food go uneaten — roughly 40% of the nation’s food supply, the post noted. Wasted food is an economic loss and an environmental problem: the Food and Drug Administration says food is the largest category of material sent to landfills, raising disposal fees, and decomposing organic matter emits methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
Beyond donations, the thread reminded readers of practical steps to reduce household waste: proper storage and freezing can extend the life of produce, and composting turns inedible scraps into nutrient-rich soil while cutting methane emissions from landfills. Many communities offer composting programs through farmers markets or shared gardens.
Raising Cane’s response and next steps
Raising Cane’s told commenters that it partners with local food banks and organizations and that groups seeking products, gift cards, sponsorships, or financial support must submit requests through the company’s website. One Reddit user added: “Cane’s does donate chicken — I do it at my local Cane’s. You just have to apply with an actual shelter or food program.”
The conversation raises policy questions about whether companies should be required to donate or recycle surplus food, or instead be incentivized through tax breaks and clearer donation procedures. Local outreach, clearer donation pathways, and public reporting could help close the gap between surplus food and unmet community need.