I've worked in food-service places and find that policy varies widely.
In one place, employees would choose a meal and dessert of their choice to eat in the dining area after serving the customers, all free.

In another, where staff were expected to work through breaks, I saw someone sacked for taking half a slice of toast on a busy 10-hour shift.

Most places would let staff snack and take food out. They probably couldn't keep people working so hard for such crap money without a few little perks.
(Juan Quar is clinging to her front teeth on, Tue 14 Oct 2014, 9:51, Reply)