What the Freak is A Freegan?
Last week I was listening to my favorite radio show (hi Taylor and Colleen), and they were discussing a video clip they saw on Oprah’s show about Freeganism…yeah I never heard of it either, but this movement is surprisingly growing in the US.
“Freeganism is an anti-consumerism lifestyle whereby people employ alternative living strategies based on “limited participation in the conventional economy and minimal consumption of resources.
The lifestyle involves salvaging discarded, unspoiled food from supermarket dumpsters that have passed their sell by date, but are still edible and nutritious. They salvage the food not because they are poor or homeless, but as a political statement.
Freegans embrace community, generosity, social concern, freedom, cooperation, and sharing in opposition to a society based on materialism, moral apathy, competition, conformity, and greed.” ~ Wikipedia
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I believe in their way of life, I love free stuff and not wasting what can be used, but freeganism pushes it beyond what I am personally willing to do, especially with food. I’m not above digging in the garbage, although I haven’t done it in years, on bulk day when my neighbors put out their big items, you could find some great stuff.
The most surprising thing about freegans is that they are not poor. I didn’t see the Oprah show, but one lady works for a Fortune 500 company and pulls down a six figure income, yet there she is, in the dumpster.
Is this a lifestyle you could adopt? Do you know any freegans? Is anyone up to the challenge of going to their supermarket dumpster at night to see what you can find? Not me, but I am a little curious. Have you ever garbage picked?
Thanks C for unknowingly naming this post.
on March 22, 2008 at 12:23 am
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First let me say, I love CBC. Living in the metro Detroit area affords me the opportunity to watch it, so I was quite pleased to see that the video clip came from the CBC newscast.
In regards to the video:
The gentleman who was actually doing the manual searching had his own “miner’s light”. Pretty ingenious.
I can’t knock the lifestyle, or the items they’re salvaging since it appears they’re being quite safety conscious about it.
The one man said he’s been doing it for over a year and a half and has never gotten sick.
I have salvaged goods from the garbage such as computer monitors and pieces of furniture, but never food.
In regards to knowing any freegans, I don’t. But here’s a follow up question for the readers – if you did know any freegans, would you have dinner over at their house?
If their food salvaging standards and system are similar to the people featured in this video, I believe I would.
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on March 22, 2008 at 9:03 am
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I love free stuff to..but going dumpster diving for food is a little more than I can do..I am an old garbage picker from way back…after two divorces that’s the only way I could furnish this place….:))))))))
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on March 22, 2008 at 2:04 pm
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They sound like modern Hippies only not as cool because they own homes and still have the good well paying jobs. And it seems like in other parts of their lives they are still contributing “to the system”.
I don’t necessarily agree with their views on society and the economy, but I commend their efforts in finding a way to save money. Groceries ARE expensive.
This is not a lifestyle I would ever consider adopting, there are numerous alternatives ways to save money without getting my food from the trash. I don’t know any Freegans, and to answer Michael’s questions, while the Freegans and I could be the best of friends, I would probably never eat at their house. I don’t do food from garbage.
Have I ever dumpster-dived? I don’t know if this quite the same thing, but I collect ticket stubs fot movies, plays and events. If I see one lying on the ground that I know for sure I don’t already have, I’ll pick it up and add it to my collection. I also pick up coins off the ground, and interesting looking bottle caps (I collect these as well). I also accept handed down clothes offered to me provided they fit and I can get away with wearing them!
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on March 22, 2008 at 9:01 pm
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Hi Michael, glad you enjoyed the clip. I’ve watched it at least 5 times myself. The group seem to know what they are doing and are diligent about checking expiration dates. I won’t eat food from someone if I knew they were a Freegan..but then again, what do we know about the food that people serve us anyway. I know people that kiss their dogs in the mouth. People that eat out of the pot without washing the utensil before putting it back in. Urp. People who don’t pick their food out the garbage can be just as nasty…but I rather eat at their home than a Freegan.
Robert, I know how you feel. I have hand me down, garage sale furniture and it looks good.
))
Jillian, I understand where they are coming from and I support them but couldn’t do it myself. I do wish the supermarkets would pass this food on to shelters instead of the dumpster.
on March 22, 2008 at 10:42 pm
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WOW!!!!
While I wouldn’t do the same – I think it’s radical – I understand the values behind the actions. I’ve never heard of freegans..
I do agree with Jillian – they remind me of hippies somehow
I understand not wanting to participate in wasteful behavior.. however I think buying/using what you need, contributing to the needy communities around you, things like that all make the same statement. Perhaps they need the statement in bold strokes which is what this is IMO
To each their own. I need to fwd this to my mom. (she just got her first pc lol)
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on March 23, 2008 at 10:51 am
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First, I have strange ideas about food, so I truly cannot see myself dumpster diving for food — unless I have positively nothing.
Second, how could someone work for a Fortune 500 company, earn big bucks and believe in not paying for anything? As much as I would like to say that love makes the world go round, money is really what does it. Someone who is pulling in a six figure income needs to give back to the community and support the economy. Now, if this woman is giving away her money and living like this — that’s one thing, but if she’s living like this and hoarding the money, she’s not doing anyone any good.
It’s different to drop out of society and live off the grid.
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on March 23, 2008 at 9:37 pm
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JEMi, I agree. I understand and believe in their cause, but I’m like Jillian, I don’t do food from garbage. It should not have been thrown away in the first place.
Julie…right, if I have no other choice, I could suck it up and do it, but I’m not there, yet. Great points, someone making 6figs can afford not to eat from the dumpster..makes me think something is not right upstairs, but I get it.
on March 24, 2008 at 10:52 am
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Freegans embrace community, generosity, social concern, freedom, cooperation, and sharing in opposition to a society based on materialism, moral apathy, competition, conformity, and greed.” ~ Wikipedia
That statement is so true. I agree with them, but only up to the point of going through garbage with their feet getting wet and getting out food. That food should not be put in the garbage, but I wouldn’t be there looking for it.
on March 24, 2008 at 6:49 pm
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I saw that on Oprah! Well… people who do that were on Oprah. I can’t eat food from a garbage can though. Even if it’s packaged nicely. I have a phobia about expiration dates… and garbage. lol
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on March 28, 2008 at 1:37 pm
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I know, RMR..me either. I am curious though…just to see what’s in there.
I wish I could have seen it Corrina..I’m sure it will be back on again. I wonder if I will eat cookies out of a dumpster. I love cookies, with nuts.
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