[2009] Groceries and supplies at end of trip

[csudell]

is it appropriate or inappropriate to leave unopened groceries (refrigerated, freezer, or neither) and/or supplies (laundry detergent) when you leave in hopes that the housekeeping staff will take it to use for themselves?
I had a lot of unopened food and some slightly used juice that I left because I hated to throw away things that others could use (especially in this economy). Same for a bottle of laundry detergent that I barely used. Was this bad? or an acceptable thing to do?

 

[waterbaby]

I also left groceries, etc. with a note to housekeeping. What else do you do?

 

[LAX Mom]

I usually throw away opened packages and leave anything I think the housekeeping staff might want to use. I guess they can just toss anything they don't want, but at least they have an option to use a few things.

 

[BevL]

Yep, anything opened goes in the garbage. But completely closed packages, cans, etc. are just left neatly in the fridge or counter. I personally have never run across a resort that has a box for the food bank - maybe it's a liability thing?

 

[Icc5]

ASK

If you ask the desk they will tell you how to handle left items. We have never been told not to leave the unopened items. We have seen some boxes at Christmas time for the homeless. It is always best to ask because you don't want to get anyone fired for taking something you left behind. Some of the resorts put what you leave in their break areas.
Bart

 

[pcgirl54]

Ask yourself it it were you would you use things others left if it were opened? I throw out all opened items and leave sealed items on the counter.I toss any frozen items. Most of the time I shop every couple of days and buy just what I need so there are not lots of items to deal with.

 

[Anne S]

We try to buy only what we need. Anything opened, such as milk, juice, mayo, etc., goes in the garbage. I really doubt that the maids are going to use your opened stuff and it is just more work for them to throw it out. If we have anything that is unopened, such as cans of tunafish, we take with us.

 

[chriskre]

I just recently stayed at Kidani village in Disney and someone left a box of unopened Captain Crunch. Since we got there late at night and didn't feel like going to the grocery store I went to the gift shop and bought some milk and had breakfast thanks to the previous guest. Not sure if the mousekeeping staff didn't notice it in the cupboard but they didn't take it and we ate it.

 

[barefootnAR]

Groceries and supplies at end of trip

Yep, anything opened goes in the garbage. But completely closed packages, cans, etc. are just left neatly in the fridge or counter. I personally have never run across a resort that has a box for the food bank - maybe it's a liability thing?

The Maui Schooner gives useable items to the Maui food bank. This information is in the checkin packet and a sign is also at the front desk.

 

[Ken555]

The Maui Schooner gives useable items to the Maui food bank. This information is in the checkin packet and a sign is also at the front desk.

That's fantastic. I wish other resorts would do this, too.

 

[Laurie]

That's fantastic. I wish other resorts would do this, too.

That *is* a great idea - maybe we should all suggest it to the resorts we own.

 

[laurac260]

since we drive, we try to take everything we don't eat. We always bring two coolers. Sometimes it's just not feasible. I agree with previous posters, I would never in a million years consume something that was opened and left by a previous occupant, you never know other people's eating habits !(I'm not one to EVER drink out of the jug or carton, but I have been known to reach my hand in the cereal box to get a handful of cereal!..in my own home of course!)

Working in restaurants, I have witnessed servers that will eat leftovers off a customers plate when they bring the plate in the kitchen after bussing a table. Not MANY, but a few! Gross! So, I suppose there are some people who would take your opened stuff, especially if food were scarce in their own home. Still I would throw opened stuff out.

 

[nazclk]

Leftovers

We go to Mexico a lot and we just leave it for the cleaners.

 

[Hawaiibarb]

Another thought

When I go to Stowe, I know the churches have a box for unopened, non-perishable items, and I have seen boxes in supermarkets for donations for the local foodbank. I'm happy to pass it on to someone else in need.

 

[Jaybee]

I always call the front desk to ask about leaving food. One resort, I think it may have been Marina Fiesta in Cabo, asked us to leave a note saying it was intended for the housekeepers.

The food bank idea is great, and I, too, wish more resorts would pick up that idea.

 

[rsnash]

Brewster Green on Cape Cod has a food donation box in the lobby that gets filled up on check out day.

Open stuff gets tossed, but I take things I can use, but leave things I can't. Especially beverages. They are too heavy to pack, and you have to throw out if you're carrying. So, I typically just take one bottle of water or can of soda for the road (and end up throwing out most of it at the airport) and leave the rest. I've seen some resorts have a shelf in the housekeeper stock room where the maids put stuff if they don't want it if others might.

 

[Rmelnyk]

World Mark, Santa Fe has a box for the local food bank. All open stuff goes to trash.
R

 

[Icc5]

Something else we have noticed

We are very much into recycling and are amazed at places that have nothing set up for this. Most of the Mountain Resort and Lake Resorts we have been to do not have recycle programs. The best we've ever seen was on Vancouver Island the resort even had composting in front of each unit and it was set up in such a way that you never even noticed it and of course, no smell. It was for small amounts of food such as coffee grinds and filters, veg. food scraps, etc. Why don't they all recycle?
Bart