Photo: Robert Banh, flickr.
LOCAL—The modern-day office serves many purposes: workplace, social experiment, trolling zone for a future partner…and a dumping ground for unwanted food. When it’s too much to give to the dog, why not take your leftovers to work?
“My wife made three pans of lasagna for a family get-together on the weekend, and we only ate two-and-a-half,” said Honda salesman Joey Ruff. “I told her I didn’t want to eat it again for dinner tonight, so she sent the pasta with me this morning. All it took was a quick email to the repair shop and the food was gone from the break room before lunch.”
Canadians across the country are finding relief from over-stocked refrigerators and unwanted foodstuffs by enlisting the help of heedless colleagues.
“Last week, Jim brought in homemade pierogies!” said delighted co-worker Peggy Hugh. “How generous of him to think his officemates would enjoy such a special treat.” Human Resource Manager Jim Estes later revealed to a friend that he just wanted to get rid of the food before it spoiled. Estes was pleasantly surprised to be hailed as a hero.
Workplace food dumping has become so common, many workers now expect a free buffet. “If I’m ever hungry, my first stop is the kitchen area,” explained call center employee Travis Guide. “More often than not, there’s a plate of something left out on the counter. I haven’t had to buy lunch for two weeks.”
Gone are the days when a generous workmate made cookies for the office out of the goodness of their heart. Now, treats are proffered as an exercise in self-defense.
“My daughter’s birthday was this week and we had over a dozen extra cupcakes from the party,” said insurance adjuster Tom Fife. “My wife told me to get them out of the house before we ate them all, so I brought them here.” Mouthfuls of frosting prevented Fife’s co-workers from debating whether a self-serving cupcake tastes as sweet.