This is ridiculous.
I've worked in the deli at a major retailer in the Pacific Northwest, and worked on the closing team for a few months. Food always gets thrown away at the end of the night (you don't really want it anyways, it's been sitting in a hot case at 140 for hours). We literally documented every burrito and pizza stick we threw away so that the company could write it off as shrink. Everyone knew the rules--eating that food was against company policy, and considered stealing. If you wanted to set it aside and pay for it, fine.
The gray area here is that the guy didn't actually get around to eating the sandwich. The manager should have clarified the policy with the employee and given him a choice--either throw the sandwich away or pay for it. It seems like there was a lack of communication and clarity, but the guy should have known the policies. It also seems like a bold thing to do when you're new in the department.
And yes, as GG said, your typical grocery store worker makes above minimum wage. At the retailer I worked at, the lowest paid position was that of courtesy clerk (box boy) and they received .50 more than minimum wage at the time in a union shop, and .65 more in a non-union shop. I made about $2 above minimum wage at the time ($8.50/hr, now it would be $10.50/hr). Some of the more senior cashiers make quite a bit more than minimum wage, actually!
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If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau
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