One of the food waste problems is that food banks just aren't set up for a lot of food and turn it away
The smell, look and feel can tell you if things are ok past their use by date. If kept in packaging and in the correct temperature, they generally last a little longer. I had issues when I had Covid as I couldn’t smell it taste anything… so had to go by the dates. What do these people do with cheese or ham bought from a market stall? It must be difficult not having somebody tell you if it’s ok to eat. All my own opinion btw, and not fact.
In a "civilised" western democracy in the 21st century with the 5th/6th/7th largest economy in the world there should be absolutely no need for food banks.