First Time Freegans

[WithurShield]

I think it great that the freegan can swallow their pride.

Me, as much as I would love to do this and save loads of money, I am worried about getting sick. Especially if the food was dumped because of special circumstances.

I stick to my coupons and gardening.

[IknowImasd]

OOH organic food, you almost have me converted.

What part of the country are you in? Know you are Aussies and very proud to hear those Waifs playing in the background.

If you ever get a heap of Asparagus again it makes really good soup with a bit of Parmasan and cream YUM. Good to hear you thinking about all of those issues too.

Well done.

[doubleestark]

Speaking of getting along with security guards, why not have the audacity to become one oneself, particularly a night shift guard who can squat and get a paycheck. Most freegans might be savvy enough to squat for free but a seasoned freegan knows to jump the hoops to get a security guard license and sleep on the job at a low profile site and get paid to sleep.

[bullitt00th]

I'm the head chef in an award-winning hotel / resort / restaurant in Dallas, Texas. USA. i got tired of watching us trow away 100's of pounds of gourmet, luxury foods, pastries and fresh breads every night, so I began distributing it to various homeless shelters and churches throughout Dallas. After about 8 months, I was told by the owners that i could no longer do this because of the insurance company. Seems they were afraid if someone got sick, or just said they did, they could sue the company

[soulmamma67]

@bullitt00th That is really sad.... here in Aus, they have very strict food laws, but our litigation is not so insane like in the states (who TOLD the insurance company anyways???? I'm betting nobody, smacks of managerial decision to me). What we have found is some charities making deals with supermarkets etc to take excess and close to useby stock and using it to run the soup kitchens. These charities have to now have food transport vehicles (refrigerated and compliant with food act) It great!

[baire702]

please clean up the words and put a shirt on, boy.

[SweetPeaPrecious]

After this you inspired me to go on my first! I just got back and in 15 min of diving, i got almost $50 bucks of perfect delicious food!!!!...thanks! I have lost my dumpster virginity! Yes!

[GivenWillingly]

I like that you got your stuff from the dumpster but bacon? eww... Eating it means morally justifying the mistreatment of animals. Sure you don't support the meat industry directly but you justify it's existence by saying meat from imprisoned animals is a legitimate kind of food. I know you might say otherwise it would go to waste but really... would you eat a human hand if you found it in the dumpster?

[goodvanilla]

also what you actually pay for in the store, the product, is exactly the packing, the transport, the employees of the store and the bills of the store (to keep the isles clean and milk cooled etc) - dammit i hate consumerism !

[goodvanilla]

I agree w the message of this video - -i went dumpster diving for furniture and other household items w my mom when I was a kid, it was such a taboo and then I felt sort of embarassed, we did it by night ofcourse. but now I understand why and totally respect it - we had no money to buy anything except basic food. I have always seen it a human right to take the food others leave, I have always been shocked over the waste and that so many companies fight freegans. we must fight back for our right.

[olishant]

It almost seems unfair to the homeless people.

[God3luv]

Alot of homeless people do it....and another good amount see it as below themselves if they can beg instead. I'm getting so tired of this supposed moral objection. SInce I started diving I have fed myself and countless homeless people. Dumpster diving has helped me to be more generous...

[freddydesouza]

i would like to be freegan. in newyork city can anyone help? i got help for you , i found a site called please google this THE FREECONOMY COMMUNITY the site is JUST FOR THE LOVE OF IT since we are not allowed to post here the site

[Murdilizer]

what would you call someone who scavenges for cigarettes?

[creaturebotman]

A BUM!

[creaturebotman]

Oh.. I should mention I am American so when I say "BUM" I don't mean "ASS"

But then again...

[WritingMotor]

cigarett junkie!

[TheDudeRulez09]

beautiful!!!

[NotQuiteLucid]

This makes me so fucking psyched for humanity. I love you guys so much and I don't even know you. I'm going to start doing this soon as I can. You guys gotta give me some tips.

[QuirkyTree]

brill, wish i know how to go about it.....

[impx0x]

I wonder if she gets her weed from dumpsters too...

[KahoriNeko]

if i need to toss clothes, i give them to the salvation army. and i buy most of my things from thrift stores

[HikariHime29]

That is so sweet that you made goody bags for your friends!

This is awesome!

[hsvplayboy]

i stole heaps of crumpets tonight 50 pax from safeway lol

[KahoriNeko]

amazing what they throw out isn't it?most of it is still packaged and perfectly good

[rainbeux]

and freeganism doesnt just mean eating from the rubbage bin all of the time, you grow your own food too. and recycling trash and the perfectly good things that people throw away on a day to day basis.

[ratzingersarat]

arrrrggghhhh you butchered that poor asparagus.... in the food processor YIKES!!!! do I have to come over to UK to give you cooking lessons???

[paratoxically]

We are Aussies though, if you are going to the UK to do a cooking show, I'll shoot it for you..your shout? :)

The asparagus was quite good actually...I was suprised myself :)

[ratzingersarat]

Im in Toronto Canada, if you ever come this way, give me a shout, I will take you around on my dumpster route.. and give you some cooking lessons also, I'm a trained pastry chef, baker and nutrition chef...

[paratoxically]

Thats good to hear, and thanx :)

The pictures I take of food leaves people licking the pages..lol...offer stands for a cooking/shoot teamup :)

I cooked my wife a white choc mudcake for her bday recently....1/2 kilo of choc with white choc ganache ( is that the spelling?) and topped with glace cherries...went down a treat!

[anne24ism]

@ratzingersarat trying to find a group in NC let me know thanks .take care

[ScienceProjek]

Questions PLEASE ANSWER. If There's All This Food Behind Super Markets, Then Why Aren't Homeless People And Needy People That Starve From Day To day Know About Stuff Like This?

Also... Is This Against The Law?, Can You Do This In Broad Daylight Without A Police Officer or Some Type Of Authority Banning You?

And Why Haven't I Heard About This?, I've Been Behind Supermarkets Many of Times And I Never See The Food You Speak of.

[paratoxically]

Firstly, many know about the waste..there are many freegans.

Secondly local regulations vary...best to check.

Why haven't you heard about this? or seen it?

Go to your local supermarket, and check the bin..all will be painfully clear...unless the bin is locked...seems that supermarkets are getting rather ashamed of the waste and the growing public response to this disgusting situation.

[ratzingersarat]

1.) homeless and needy people DONT NEED to eat out of a dumpster because majority of them eat at churches and salvation army kitchens where they live at hostels. Any street person who is homeless knows about dumpster food, but they already eat at so many other organization they dont need to go dumpster diving..

2) Who cares if its against the law its a moral crime to throw out good food, just because they are too lazy to donate it to the salvation army kitchen.

3)Go to the right market.

[creten69]

in america they crush it now,its been like that since 2000 or so.They lock it too.They could feed thousands.The food is better than what i would buy.

[creten69]

.It expires,then they can be sued if people get sick.We waste billions here on trival and petty lawsuits.

[steviebboy69]

actually there was something on today tonight a current affiars show here in aus. i always thought there would be lots of good stuff in those supermarket dumpsters.

[extrawide]

i really don't think that, freegan's would be looking for "visa/amex receipts" in the garbage, but hey you might

might... have a point.

[chalupa9999]

my garbage is my garbage i still own it! This may sound absurd but PERSONAL stuff is in there and it is an INVASION OF MY PRIVACY! yes we throw away too much stuff but even supermarkets throw office docs and visa/amex receipts in THERE garbage that is why it is ILLEGAL. It is sad the amount we throw out... but is also sad when we have to lock our garbage. i believe in not waisting food but stay out of our garbage!

[paratoxically]

If the problem is putting good food with documents ( in a supermarket situation)then you have 2 choices...get a shredder..or better still...DONT THROW THE FOOD!

easy :)

Yes, personal rubbish is an issue of privacy.

I burn all personal docs :)

I dont throw food....it goes to the rats that get fed to my snakes.

You may compost if you choose :)

[demonizedin42]

If you have to throw something out thats good then compost indeed! if you grow vegtables or actually it's just plain good for your soil. I know of someone who uses cofee grinds and egg shells as composte and it's supposed to be one of the best among vegtable growers opinion.

Yeah - I burn my docs too also

Did I mention leaving food out for the squirrels, birds, possum, etc. - they need food too.

[ratzingersarat]

rats and snakes how wonderful, do you wok them or roast them???

[paratoxically]

The snakes prefer their rats at bod temp ;)

[ratzingersarat]

garbage is big business now obviously and the scam of recycling proves this quit abundantly... as far as your OWN personal garbage goes, ahhh the city makes money recycling your garbage for free and you dont get a cent now do you, and you dont complain about that do you? IF YOUR GARBAGE IS NOT LOCKED ITS FAIR GAME... I am all over it... if you don't like it get a big dog or something welcome to the REAL world.

[falsepride]

Awesome and brilliant too!

[TravistyCH]

I leave all that shit in the dumpster when I come across that shit. I could never break myself down enough to do the smell test and or eat somthing unwraped at the bottom of the dumpster. It can feed your friends but can your friends be impressed by your finds? I recommend you watch my vid girl and see the real deal of Illinois dumpster diving. Search the suburbs of the city before you get cuffed diving in the city itself. You find better shit in small suburbs any how.

[paratoxically]

Whos trying to impress?

We are only trying to impress how much is wasted.

I suggest that you view my other vid " Eat free..feel good" and see what we are getting....most of it is wrapped.

Be informed before you comment girl..lol :)

[BEACHSURF]

I don't/can't sell the food.

I get some very good ' specials' at the supermarket,which helps me save on food costs.

I am not on the dole... but probably many freegans are?

Human is a dirty word.

Govt employee is a dirty word.

I do donate food ,unwanted in my diet,to unknown people.

They might be undeserving , but it helps reduce global warming.

Dole money is created by producing greenhouse gases?

[BEACHSURF]

What is your best 'skippy'/dumpster find?

Can you beat 50 rockmelons at about $2 each?

Then a day later 25 rockmelons,that is a total of about $75 cash a day.

No need to 'work' for an income,and maybe someone could even... go off the dole.

And on the same day,a 'multi-national' supermarket,(ya vool heer kommandant)'donates' a bag of a pair of new flippers ,snorkel and mask.

But admittedly the plastic bag was sliced up.

[paratoxically]

Good idea Beachsurf!

I would suggest that you donate the goods to others, and feel the love..not the cash :)

Let the government pay you the dole to do a public and environmental service!

While ever someone contributes to society, the "dole" is not a dirty word...consider yourself doing the work that no government has been smart enough to fund yet...you are setting a trend!

[jbvcw71]

Top Notch Vid! Where abouts do you hail from?

Excellent use of otherwise wasted.

[paratoxically]

Thanks :)

Not far from Wollongong NSW Australia.

[BEACHSURF]

Are you all not vegans?

What is your best food find?

Can you beat 24 good ripe pineapples?

Is a freegan sometimes not a vegan?

[paratoxically]

Well, where do I start :)

I feel, personally, that vegan supplies from the bin are the safest.

I believe the Dumpstars have had some amazing finds since that vid..(Breno..where are you??? :)  )

24 ripe pineapples is a great find ( all you need is a case of Midori and vodka and your set :) )

Is a freegan sometimes not a vegan?..hmm..I suppose anything is possible :)

[GreatMiilenko]

Some people are just plain stupid, i went for my first freegan dive, and found about a pound of tomatos, a bagfull of onions, lots of carrots, some good lettuce, a bit of candy, bagels, and doughnuts, a really nice find. in stores that amount of food would have been prolly around $80-100+.

also, just runnin around with my m8's, we found a 24in TV. it just needed a new cord..morons!

[BoganOnIce]

I love the food bin as we call it!

Everyday after school me and my mates go there and get Candy, Bread, washing powder and somethimes Cartons and cartons of softdrink! Most of it is in date and perfectly fine! But the store has threatened to call the police numerous times.

[theamazingbiff]

I tried to watch it for the first couple minutes, but the sound was so murky I couldn't understand it. Bummer.

[LordLebu]

Why do you guys say this is a political . I think this is more related to the current food crisis !

[SiameseGunKiss]

which is political

[the20thcenturyfox]

the personal is political

[elps84]

freegan forever!

[CuriousKreature]

I have my first freegan dive today!! Awesome!

[decayedove]

What a feast!

[sonsetserenity]

Had a similar experience my first freegan dive!! So much food had to give a lot of it away! Good times share and eat for free :)

God Bless the Freegans!

[DeadPhan04]

right on! p.s. ur beautiful! =) keep up the good work mammah! lovin u! <3

[medicinesocks]

wonderful, inspiring. thanks for sharing this slice of your life- delicious!

[KIDGLOCK2]

Im going to start pissing on all the crap I throw away ..............enjoy.

[paratoxically]

Good for you...thats democracy in action.

You have the right to be wasteful if you wish.

Perhaps your action will see you lose all that is worthwhile in you though.

Cheers ;)

[K8Swartz]

you are ignorant kidglock2

[LucasDarklord]

our food is grown from shit anyway, that's why we WASH things.

[graceearthangel]

Good on you for doing this and shouting out for the world to see. You guys are awesome.

[paratoxically]

I was proud to tag along with the "Dumpstars" on a reclaiming mission. It is a real eyeopener to see how much good food is being wasted. Lets hope people such as these bring positive change - our sustainable future depends on it.