We constantly have to claim out food which recipients of food stamps bring all the way to the registers and then don't have enough on their EBT card to pay for it. They are the worst over-shoppers we have. We cannot put perishables back on the shelves.
After all, when it is "free" what's the difference?
We throw away meat, shrimp, fowl, frozen goods, etc. at an alarming rate. That affects the profit line so the prices go up. I once had to claim out a $27 lamb roast because a customer "changed their mind" at the register. We can't say anything. We just have to accept the loss.
We have 2-3 pallets of claimed meats picked up every week by the renderer. Some things that are damaged, like crackers, dented cans, etc. are given to the local food bank.
Of all of the customers who waste food and cost us profit, the food stamp recipients are the worst.
If I get a customer who is using food stamps I try to check through the perishables first so that there is some chance of getting them out the door instead of in the trash. If I get to the end of the order and they have to remove things, the meats and other perishables are the first things to come out of the bags.
It's the American way, after all.