"Dive" film about dumpster diving for food

**khaski** · 02-03-2012, 06:41 PM

Never dumpster dived (though I am a notoroius 'curb grabber', screeching to a halt to grab a free stuff on the side of the road). Our town's free center I work at will not accept food to put out to the general public, but people bring it in sometimes and the volunteers may take it home. You wouldn't believe all the tins of nuts, popcorn and cookies that come in after the holidays! Recently someone left abut 18 jars of pb, just about to expire-I took home 7 or 8. Also recently got canned veggies and soups. so while I don't currently go into dumpsters looking for food (though if it were that or my kids went hungry, in I'd go), I have no problme taking 'second hand' food.

**brennasmom** · 02-03-2012, 07:01 PM

Honestly some of the food in the dumpster looked better than what I have seen for sale in some stores

**LynnLC** · 02-03-2012, 08:12 PM

Originally Posted by frugalwarrior2

Nope. Not w/o being starving to death first. The amt of bacteria in the bin already is enough to deter me.
Plus when I worked a very short stint at Kroger they incinerate everything. I don't know of ANY grocer around here that doesn't have a locked bin area.

I'm with you Warrior. All the dumpster are locked and on camera around here...They simply cannot take the legal risks involved. Not to mention the lawsuits for people who would claim they were hurt climbing in, eating what was inside etc...

**Stacia** · 02-03-2012, 08:45 PM

Originally Posted by brennasmom

Honestly some of the food in the dumpster looked better than what I have seen for sale in some stores

I was thinking the same thing, I worked for a Nonprofit about 10 years ago, and there were wonderful companies such as QVC and Target that donated all of their clothing and toys ect. that were returns, overstock, or out of season items.

**bunnys** · 02-04-2012, 12:44 PM

Interesting thread.

I don't think I'd ever dumpster dive. I hope I never have to.

**pollypurebred39** · 02-04-2012, 01:39 PM

I think "have to" are the operative words there. The longer I'm on this intense frugal journey, the more annoyed I get with I would never, in connection with extreme frugal things or some unimaginable things like having to dumpster dive for food.

I sure hope I never have to dumpster dive for food myself. But like you intimated Bunny, there are times in life where things are a have to. Well, maybe not for everyone's life, but certainly for a lot of people in the states right now. I think it's all a matter of perspective. The people who are dumpster diving see it as a way of survival, and a blessing. Bottom line is if you're working at minimum wage, and there's no hope for a better education, you've got to do something to make ends meet. So if that means food from a dumpster, HBA from a dumpster, Clothing from a dumpster, learning how to fashion clothing from whatever you've got, getting furniture off the curb, using freecycle, building furniture from scraps and discards, using reusable tissues, paper towels, monthly pads and toilet paper, you've got to develop a really good attitude and change your perspective, or you just might go off the deep end. NOT you personally, I mean anyone who has to do it.

I know the special I saw on this lifestyle, not a single one of these people involved made more than minimum wage. It was their lot in life. That pretty much would get you a REALLY crappy apartment, in most likely not the best area around, and you'd be hoping it had utilities included because if not, you'd need a second job to pay just for those. So that pretty much left them at the extreme end of things at life.

I know there's a big green movement, but frankly, I think that was part of them (the ones I saw in the piece I saw) developing a perspective that allowed them to retain their dignity. When you walk with little in this world your dignity is a pretty big thing. Being humbled by circumstances can take you out at the knees if you let it.

**luvmycats** · 02-06-2012, 12:15 AM

I did dumpster dive once for food. The store I worked at had tons of chips that had expired. They wouldn't let us have them, but the manager "forgot" to lock the dumpster gate. I salvaged many bags of chips. I took them to the school where my son was on the swim team, and those kids devoured them. (we did keep a few)

I hate seeing ANYTHING go to a land fill if it can be used/re-purposed. Just yesterday while I was in Home Depot buying felt paper for our raised beds, I seen a cart with some broken pallets. I asked one of the guys working there if it was headed for the dumpster. Yep. I then asked him if I could have it. Sure! Today my husband took one of them apart and made a trellis for our tomato plants.

**tripleb** · 02-06-2012, 09:31 AM

I think its terrible the food that companys/people waste. I have no problem with people dumpster diving. It might not be something I would do although in dire curcumstances I certainly would give it ago.

**Stacia** · 02-06-2012, 10:28 AM

Having been to or having family in a Third World county will really open your eyes. When you see them cooking up spoiled eggs to feed the kids for breakfast because that's all hey have. Or using cauliflower when its turned brown. Not having formula to feed your baby because breast milk is not an option when your malnourished yourself and it's not coming in.

In some parts of the world nothing goes to waste, if there is rice left over or bread scraps it is had with the next meal, nothing is thrown out but the bones.

Most the wrapped food in grocery store dumpsters is cleaner then food at grocery stores/stands in some parts of the world.

**Stacia** · 02-06-2012, 10:33 AM

Originally Posted by Stacia

Having been to or having family in a Third World county will really open your eyes. When you see them cooking up spoiled eggs to feed the kids for breakfast because that's all hey have. Or using cauliflower when its turned brown. Not having formula to feed your baby because breast milk is not an option when your malnourished yourself and it's not coming in.

In some parts of the world nothing goes to waste, if there is rice left over or bread scraps it is had with the next meal, nothing is thrown out but the bones.

Most the wrapped food in grocery store dumpsters is cleaner then food at grocery stores/stands in some parts of the world.

Last trip to visit family overseas there was an older lady and a child, searching on the ground where people had thrown trash looking for food.