He gave away leftover airport sandwiches to the homeless—then got fired: “I would do it again”

For three decades, an employee worked quietly behind the scenes at Marseille-Provence Airport. Day in and day out, he helped keep the airport’s food service operation running smoothly. But what ultimately cost him his job wasn’t a mistake—it was an act of kindness.

The employee, whose name has not been disclosed, was fired after giving away leftover sandwiches—food that was headed for the trash—to homeless people sheltering near the airport. The individual says he doesn’t regret it for a second. “I’m proud of what I did,” he said. “I’d do it all over again.”

Why was he fired after feeding the homeless?

According to the airport’s catering company, the dismissal stemmed from what they call a “serious violation” of internal food safety protocols. Company policy states that unsold food must be discarded for health and legal reasons, even if it’s still safe to eat.

But the employee tells a different story.

He says that for years, he would collect sandwiches nearing their expiration date at the end of his shift and hand them out to people in need—often the same individuals seeking shelter inside or near the airport.

“I didn’t steal anything. That food was going to the garbage anyway.”

What’s more, he claims his supervisors were well aware of his actions. “There was overproduction every day. One of my managers even told me to keep doing it—otherwise he’d have to haul it off to special disposal sites, which cost money,” the man explained.

“At least 80 people have eaten because of those sandwiches”

In total, he estimates that around 80 people received food that would have otherwise rotted in a dumpster.

“It wasn’t a formal food program, but at least they didn’t go to sleep hungry that night,” he said. “I’m proud to have fed them.”

His dismissal has ignited a firestorm across France. Social media erupted with outrage, with many calling the firing “cruel,” “inhumane,” and “grossly unfair.” Solidarity organizations have echoed that sentiment, drawing attention to France’s massive food waste problem. According to France’s ecological transition agency (ADEME), the country throws away over 10 million tons of food every year.

The law, the possible legal loophole, and the backlash

Under French law, supermarkets have been banned from destroying edible food since 2016—they’re required to donate it to charities instead. But here’s the catch: that law doesn’t apply to private catering services, like those operating in airports.

This legal gray area is exactly where this case falls—and it’s reigniting calls for reform.

Prominent French labor attorney Philippe Desrues said the situation may not be so cut and dry. “Companies can penalize contract violations, yes—but in this case, context matters. There’s legal precedent that could swing in favor of the employee if he decides to fight back.”

What will happen now?

The man, along with two other coworkers who were also terminated, has received legal support and is weighing his options, including filing a wrongful termination lawsuit.

“We’re not going to stand by and let this slide.”

Meanwhile, several humanitarian groups have launched petition campaigns demanding his reinstatement and pushing for broader reforms around food surplus management in transportation hubs like airports, train stations, and shopping centers.

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