Good and Bad Loads - What to Look For

If you have been doing Loop for a while, you may have noticed that some loads are better than others. Every once in a while you may get one that seems not quite right… that’s OK! Mistakes happen, but we just need to get pictures and get in touch so that we can update stores and make sure that all the rules are followed.

There can be a lot of variety in what you receive in a load - that’s great! But there may be some items or combinations that are not appropriate or unsafe, and if that’s the case, we need to know so that we can reach out to the stores to see where the problem is coming from!

But, what is a bad load? And what is a good load? Let’s start with good loads, how they look, and what they contain.

Good Loads

In a good load, you will receive everything in boxes or bags, sorted by department. Vegetables will not be mixed with bakery products, or anything else. Bags of bread will not be mixed with meat products or canned goods. 

Cake soup is a good thing! It may look like a bit of a mess, but as long as it’s only cake in the mixture, it’s a good thing, and your animals will love it!

Everything that you pick up should be at the right temperature. If it is a frozen product, you should receive it still frozen. If it is melted from sitting out for hours please let us know! Meat should be cool or frozen, so if it is warm or rancid, please let us know. That is a huge safety concern!

Here are some examples of good loads:

Bad Loads

There are different degrees of bad loads. Some are just less than ideal and may be from a mistake at the store that day. Others are bigger, or reoccurring issues that should be reported. And others are major problems, and you should call us right away before you even leave the store.

Less Than Ideal Loads

An example of a less-than-ideal load would be if a cake box broke open, and got on other products in the box. Or if a cake box was thrown in with a bag of buns from the bakery or a box from the deli. 

This is not ideal, and if it is a common occurrence it should be reported. If it is a one-time incident, it was probably an accident and you don’t need to report it. 

Major Issues 

If you are finding meat products with vegetable or bakery products you need to report it. You should not be feeding products that have been exposed to meat to many of your animals. It is a major safety concern.

If you find broken glass, knives, or other sharp objects in your boxes, you need to call us immediately. This is a concern for your health, and the store needs to be made aware of the issue right away. 

In the rare chance that you do encounter something like this, remember the Loop rules. Be kind, smile, and take a step back. Go to your vehicle and make a call. We will give you instructions on what to do and will call the store right away.

Give us a call at 1 (778) 949-8003 for help right away!

Most of the stores we work with are well-trained and do a great job of meeting the standards we have for pickups. There are rare occasions where things happen, and that is okay, but we have to know about it if you want it to be resolved. 

Remember, even if your store is being difficult to work with, keep the Loop rules in mind when dealing with them. Be kind, smile, and treat everyone with respect! Nothing was ever made better by yelling or getting angry. 

Never hesitate to reach out with any concerns or questions you have. We are always ready and willing to help!

Shoot us an email at support@loopresource.ca for non-emergency concerns or questions!

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