Whenever I'd take out the trash I just needed the manager to disable the fire alarm on the back door. They'd wait inside while I hauled bags back to the dumpster.

Except when we were cleaning out the hot box. Then the manager came out with me and watched me dump all the food. So he could make sure it all was wasted.

Luckily most of the managers also let any staff there after closing fix up a plate of the food that was still good but wouldn't survive the night. Except one asshole who insisted it was stealing.

Stealing food they were going to throw away. What a clown world.

Once something has been thrown out as trash in a public space, it's legal for someone else to take and isn't a liability. A place that actually gave a shit would have a separate trash container for things that are still safe to eat.

In San Francisco, there are receptacles you can leave food in for homeless people. I always thought that was a good way to do it.