Photo: Daily Table

As Whole Foods get slammed in the press for overcharging customers, a not-for-profit grocery store is modeling a different way of selling food. Daily Table in Dorchester, Massachusetts collects excess food from a network of growers, supermarkets, manufacturers and suppliers, and offers it at steep discounts to shoppers.

Started by Doug Rauch, former president of Trader Joe's, Daily Table is designed to reduce food waste and make good, wholesome food available to all. The store offers ready to eat meals, produce, bread, dairy and grocery items. The items either didn’t sell or are just past their “sell by” date, but are still safe to eat.

“Many in the food supply chain are concerned about the volume of food that goes unused, especially while so many in our communities are hungry and unhealthy,” reads a statement on the company’s website. “Many are also eager to find a solution that reaches the majority of ‘working poor’ (most of the food insecure), and does so in a manner that helps build dignity and self-respect.”

Pricing ready-made meals to compete with fast food prices, Daily Table aims to make it easier for families to eat healthier, within their means.

"Working together,” the website reads, “we can help reduce both the effects of poor eating habits caused by challenging economics, and the impact that wasted food and its precious resources has on our environment."

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