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Thread: The Freegans are coming

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    Default The Freegans are coming

    I read an article recently in Jane magazines October issue about Freegans. These people dive into garbage bins from grocery stores and "reclaim" the food that the stores waste. They dont do it because they lack finances to pay for the food but instead they do it because the grocery stores waste sooo much food. They believe not in just "food reclaimation" but other ways of life that are much simpler. I thought this was just interesting. Share your thoughts.

    http://freegan.info/
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    Veteran Member Rockette's Avatar
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    Default Re: The Freegans are coming

    Knew a guy in undergrad who did that. The police actually tried to arrest him a few times. The dining halls at my college used to through away several garbage pales full of food per day with several dining halls on campus. It really, really added up to a lot of food.
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    Default Re: The Freegans are coming

    You don't want my opion on this is nots very nice. But i will say I always wonderd what happens to food prepared on talk shows every moring chef's come on talk shows and prepare a dish that i am sure goes to waste i hope they donate it to local shelters. But no i do not support freeganism.

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    madmaxine
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    Default Re: The Freegans are coming

    I've wondered about this..but I tend to shop at small markets where the owners try to sell most products right to the end of their sale-ability.....

    I would do this if I lived in a major urban area where upscale markets were tossing perfectly good items. I've also heard of people who go into grocery stores & gather all the damaged items & try to get them for cheap or free.

    Wouldn't stores get a tax writeoff for donating some of their items to soup kitchens and charities?

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    Default Re: The Freegans are coming

    I used to do this when I was in university and a diehard socialist. I had a specific Safeway that I hit- it was sweet. I didn't get produce often, mostly expired packaged goods.I was amused to see that article- I hadn't realized there was a whole movement! It's a good thing.

    Although nowadays I'm too embarassed to go sneaking into store dumpsters...which is kind of sad. But, i can afford food now, so best leave it for the hobos, I guess.

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    Default Re: The Freegans are coming

    Heh, I remember working for a grocery store. This store paid a pretty nickle to CRUSH all the garbage in a giant crusher before it was deposited into the waste bin outside so people couldn't dumpster dive.

    I mean I wish I had the money to secure my garbage...
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    Default Re: The Freegans are coming

    Quote Originally Posted by madmaxine
    Wouldn't stores get a tax writeoff for donating some of their items to soup kitchens and charities?
    Problem is this food is unfit for sale.... so even if it really won't hurt you, imagine if someone did get sick off of it, lawsuit hell. Even worse if the claim is false. We are in the land of redicluous lawsuits here right? In the past both stores and agencies have tried to get this done. The wastage is awful, problem is, they can be sued.

    Some places if your clever and there is no manager about you can convince the staff to let you take out the garbage... ie the leftover product that is in a clean garbage bag and only thrown out because it has reached four hours or sometihing.... things like doughnuts.... hummm. Yes been there done that, not frequently though.

    The bakeries in Australia do donate the left over bread.

    I've never had to food scavange, but I've done it a bit for computer parts electronics etc. In Melbourne it was common to have a hard collection pickup at certian times of the year. Had I not been moving I'm sure I'd have picked up a couple of TVs, seems everyone is going flat, and I did see some oldies but goodies. Also if your quick, computer parts are quite nice... but only if your quick. I think I picked up 5 cases one year, for my case modding practice...

    I know a few people to have found some awesome stuff dumpster diving... kids electronic cars etc. Some $USD300 and up items.
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    Default Re: The Freegans are coming

    Quote Originally Posted by cherryripeboy
    Problem is this food is unfit for sale.... so even if it really won't hurt you, imagine if someone did get sick off of it, lawsuit hell. Even worse if the claim is false. We are in the land of redicluous lawsuits here right? In the past both stores and agencies have tried to get this done. The wastage is awful, problem is, they can be sued.

    Some places if your clever and there is no manager about you can convince the staff to let you take out the garbage... ie the leftover product that is in a clean garbage bag and only thrown out because it has reached four hours or sometihing.... things like doughnuts.... hummm. Yes been there done that, not frequently though.

    The bakeries in Australia do donate the left over bread.

    I've never had to food scavange, but I've done it a bit for computer parts electronics etc. In Melbourne it was common to have a hard collection pickup at certian times of the year. Had I not been moving I'm sure I'd have picked up a couple of TVs, seems everyone is going flat, and I did see some oldies but goodies. Also if your quick, computer parts are quite nice... but only if your quick. I think I picked up 5 cases one year, for my case modding practice...

    I know a few people to have found some awesome stuff dumpster diving... kids electronic cars etc. Some $USD300 and up items.
    There is so much "waste of food." in our country right from Grocery Stores to restaurants?...Why not give it away. It's gonna go to the garbage. A loss is a loss. Let's just make it a little more productive.

    The homeless would be fed....hell, I'll drop by once in a while.

    I don't think the average person would really wait for a steal deal like this. Stay in line with a bunch of smelly homeless people just to save money? So, I don't think you would have to worry too much about that. Besides I bet you the homeless will be waiting in line way before the average person. Just like the "Star Wars" premiere.

    Now as far as the lawsuit is concerned...have them sign a death waiver? I'm sure there has to be someway around it. *shrugs*

  9. #9
    madmaxine
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    Default Re: The Freegans are coming

    LOL Right before I left California I was dumpster-diving for cardboard boxes (to pack for moving.) To be honest, dumpsters are bacteria-laden & maybe not a reliable place to pick out anything. But I think the Law states anything in the trash is not "owned" by anyone, hence why law enforcement goes through trash to find evidence.

    I'm sure stores would be willing to create food donation programs in exchange for free advertising. The "lawsuit" aspect could be negotiated. It's appalling how many cities don't have facilities/ soup kitchens for the homeless & indigent.

    Yeah, I hate wasting food...people always pick on me for putting half-eaten food in the fridge...but I can't throw it away....

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    Default Re: The Freegans are coming

    An interesting link/PDF

    http://www.p2pays.org/ref/12/11907.pdf

    I always try to keep leftovers to a minimum, so I cook smaller quantities, and freeze when I can. You can save a lot of money by doing that. The only leftovers I allow are the ones I know we will gobble up, or are going to be lunch the next day. My father still has not learnt how to do this to any extent. At least he no longer does 8 pies for Thanksgiving.
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    Default Re: The Freegans are coming

    Quote Originally Posted by supermaruchi
    The homeless would be fed....hell, I'll drop by once in a while.

    Now as far as the lawsuit is concerned...have them sign a death waiver? I'm sure there has to be someway around it. *shrugs*
    The good samaratian law mentioned in the pdf helps. There is of course the fact you have to motivate people to donate.

    I'm sure there are some students that would drop by as well. I'm also sure your right about the crowd keeping those not in need away.
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    Default Re: The Freegans are coming

    Quote Originally Posted by madmaxine
    LOL Right before I left California I was dumpster-diving for cardboard boxes (to pack for moving.) To be honest, dumpsters are bacteria-laden & maybe not a reliable place to pick out anything. But I think the Law states anything in the trash is not "owned" by anyone, hence why law enforcement goes through trash to find evidence.

    I'm sure stores would be willing to create food donation programs in exchange for free advertising. The "lawsuit" aspect could be negotiated. It's appalling how many cities don't have facilities/ soup kitchens for the homeless & indigent.

    Yeah, I hate wasting food...people always pick on me for putting half-eaten food in the fridge...but I can't throw it away....
    Which reminds me...when I go to a BUFFET! I understand I want to get my moneys worth but I don't grab anything I wont eat. I try to eat everything on the plate...I think it's sensible if you're gonna try something new you won't grab a whole bunch of it.
    I can't imagine how much food is wasted at a BUFFET!

    "I'm sure stores would be willing to create food donation programs in exchange for free advertising. The "lawsuit" aspect could be negotiated. It's appalling how many cities don't have facilities/ soup kitchens for the homeless & indigent. "

    -GREAT CONCEPT...because it's about advertising/marketing these days.

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    Default Re: The Freegans are coming

    Quote Originally Posted by cherryripeboy
    The good samaratian law mentioned in the pdf helps. There is of course the fact you have to motivate people to donate.

    I'm sure there are some students that would drop by as well. I'm also sure your right about the crowd keeping those not in need away.

    Ima read up on that...I think we're getting somewhere

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    Default Re: The Freegans are coming

    I've been homeless and I'll be damned if I choose to do so. Joblessness? I'd love to see how far that gets folks. And I really have a hard time thinking of any sort of garbage recepticle that isnt a haven of filth and bacteria.... so taking food from them? Not on my top ten list.
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    Default Re: The Freegans are coming

    Dude, I worked at a bread store while in college. We used to bag up pastries and bread after work and give it to the homeless after closing the store. Of course we'd keep the cherry and apricot pastries, and my Mom had to have a grande boule--but the rest we gave away.

    Personally, I've 'street shopped' for computer parts, a tv, an air conditioner, a futon frame, and an entertainment center. I like grabbing yuppie leftovers!

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    Default Re: The Freegans are coming

    Yuppie leftovers, exactly! I live in a kind of frou frou area, and a good 30% of my furnishings (including the desk I'm at and the monitor I'm looking at) are yuppie leftovers found in my back alley. Love it!

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    Default Re: The Freegans are coming

    Yea, there is some good yuppie stuff out there. They simply don't know what to do with it when they move or something. A lot of garbage collectors are like - not in the can - doesn't go in the truck.

    I don't think I would eat food out of a dumpster though unless I absolutely had to.

    Funny - I knew about Freegans years ago. I do keep in touch with the conservation and recycle movements though.

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