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Wholesalers - damaged cans?

Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2026 11:04 am
by JohnL
From what I read a few of you might be in wholesale foods distribution. I got a question for you.
Are you seeing a lot more canned goods coming through lately that are badly damaged? I went to Walmart to buy some canned dog food last week and almost every single can on the shelf was bent up and one looked like it was folded in half.
Is this a problem anywhere else?

Re: Wholesalers - damaged cans?

Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2026 1:14 pm
by ohio jones
Usually the damaged stuff gets sold off to the Amish bent-and-dent stores, where people go intentionally to find canned goods bads at a discount.

Re: Wholesalers - damaged cans?

Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2026 1:15 pm
by JohnH
Canned dog food? If Mennonites are buying dog food, it’s in 50 lb bags at the feed mill.

Re: Wholesalers - damaged cans?

Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2026 1:51 pm
by JohnL
ohio jones wrote: ↑Fri Mar 13, 2026 1:14 pm Usually the damaged stuff gets sold off to the Amish bent-and-dent stores, where people go intentionally to find canned goods bads at a discount.
Looks like Walmart is keeping theirs at least around here. I won’t buy it if it’s damaged. Guess I’ll try the local stores. We’re planning a trip and the neighbors are looking out for the cats and dogs so I have to get some for the pets.
It’s discouraging to see this shabby stuff in store shelves.

Re: Wholesalers - damaged cans?

Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2026 3:45 pm
by JohnH
JohnL wrote: ↑Fri Mar 13, 2026 1:51 pm
ohio jones wrote: ↑Fri Mar 13, 2026 1:14 pm Usually the damaged stuff gets sold off to the Amish bent-and-dent stores, where people go intentionally to find canned goods bads at a discount.
Looks like Walmart is keeping theirs at least around here. I won’t buy it if it’s damaged. Guess I’ll try the local stores. We’re planning a trip and the neighbors are looking out for the cats and dogs so I have to get some for the pets.
It’s discouraging to see this shabby stuff in store shelves.
Were you expecting the utmost of quality in a Walmart?

Re: Wholesalers - damaged cans?

Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2026 9:56 pm
by Valerie
JohnH wrote: ↑Fri Mar 13, 2026 1:15 pm Canned dog food? If Mennonites are buying dog food, it’s in 50 lb bags at the feed mill.
The bent and dent stores are owned by Amish but all I see shopping in them are we Englishers, so Jah, bent dog food cans would sell well.

Re: Wholesalers - damaged cans?

Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2026 9:57 pm
by Valerie
JohnL wrote: ↑Fri Mar 13, 2026 1:51 pm
ohio jones wrote: ↑Fri Mar 13, 2026 1:14 pm Usually the damaged stuff gets sold off to the Amish bent-and-dent stores, where people go intentionally to find canned goods bads at a discount.
Looks like Walmart is keeping theirs at least around here. I won’t buy it if it’s damaged. Guess I’ll try the local stores. We’re planning a trip and the neighbors are looking out for the cats and dogs so I have to get some for the pets.
It’s discouraging to see this shabby stuff in store shelves.
We sell no such thing in the store chain I work for.
Have not seen an increase at all where I work.

Re: Wholesalers - damaged cans?

Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2026 9:18 am
by Soloist
JohnL wrote: ↑Fri Mar 13, 2026 1:51 pm
ohio jones wrote: ↑Fri Mar 13, 2026 1:14 pm Usually the damaged stuff gets sold off to the Amish bent-and-dent stores, where people go intentionally to find canned goods bads at a discount.
Looks like Walmart is keeping theirs at least around here. I won’t buy it if it’s damaged. Guess I’ll try the local stores. We’re planning a trip and the neighbors are looking out for the cats and dogs so I have to get some for the pets.
It’s discouraging to see this shabby stuff in store shelves.
Wife: i’m guessing someone mishandled a pallet. Sadly, we don’t have a bent and dent store, but that would probably either go on a discount shelf at Walmart, possibly be donated to a food bank, or end up in the dumpster.

Re: Wholesalers - damaged cans?

Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2026 12:37 pm
by QuietlyListening
Many grocery stores around here have a bent and dent shelf - often in the back. We don't have a bent and dent store. I'll buy them on sale if they aren't bulging etc.

Re: Wholesalers - damaged cans?

Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2026 12:38 pm
by JohnH
I've never really understood canned dog food.