I have volunteered at food banks and homeless shelters here in the USA and almost 100% of the food used to make take away packages and hot meals were donated by supermarkets.

I am not the most well traveled of individuals so I am not sure what the situation in European countries is with food banks and homeless shelters... but have you approached these supermarkets about donating this "expired" foods to shelters or churches in your area?

Most of the time super markets and other retailers are perfectly willing to donate these goods if you take care of the logistical issues of transportation ect...

Most supermarkets and other retailers are not by any means evil or want to be wasteful... but simply don't want to waste time researching possible donation sites.