Are you a FREEGAN???

**dianne9106** · 01-01-2008, 09:14 PM

I was reading an article in the local paper about a couple of "Freegans" in Nashville, TN rummaging through trash bins pulling out everything from broccoli to limes. The article pointed out that these two guys are sometime on the "messy edge of freeganism". I agree - it is a little messy! I was reading a couple of old threads here about how most folks would not pull perfectly kinda good fruit or veg out of the store dumpster.

But seriously - are you a freegan? The national movement is more about reusing the old before buying new, than just the literal combination of free and vegan.

I would definitely consider myself a freegan in terms of being happy to buy used and recycling where I can - nearly to the point of embarrassment to my teenage DS. I read a lot of thread were many of FV'ers talk about buying used over the new rubbish that is in stores nowadays. I agree. However, in reading Sara Noel's thread - I see I am not the only one that agrees that buying used is the best - but sometimes if you can get a good deal on something new, then it is worth it in most cases. Today I bought some socks and PJ at Victoria's secret with a GC I had from returning a faulty bra.

But I have to praise my loving DH even he is starting to lean towards finding clever ways to reuse the things we have, ie: using POM juice bottles to mix his energy drinks in - just the right size. This is a HUGE accomplishment for him - he pulled the bottles from our recycling bin in the closet!!
So are you a Freegan????

Dianne

**AmyBoz** · 01-01-2008, 09:23 PM

Dianne,
Got to be honest...I'd never heard of a Freegan before this post! I need to look into it a little more before deciding if I am one. Thanks for teaching me something new today!

**dianne9106** · 01-01-2008, 09:50 PM

my information in my starting thread. Sorry...

-'Freegans' get their dinner from food others discard
by Colby Sledge
Gannett Tennessee
The Leaf-Chronicle,
(from) Clarksville, TN

Thanks - Dianne

**Peaches** · 01-02-2008, 02:40 AM

Originally Posted by AmyBoz

Dianne,
Got to be honest...I'd never heard of a Freegan before this post! I need to look into it a little more before deciding if I am one. Thanks for teaching me something new today!

Here ya go. http://www.freegan.info/

**dianne9106** · 01-02-2008, 10:43 AM

Just WOW!!! I looked that link that Peaches posted and WOW!! After looking at this link - I will clarify that I am not a die-hard, radical freegan. I like to get things free: ie: FAR, reuse, recycle, hand me downs, freecycle, and the occasional curb alert.
Sorry if I was confusing - I saw the article in the paper about two guys bin picking in Nashville -which both guys have full-time jobs.
Dianne

**Momto2Boyz** · 01-02-2008, 11:10 AM

I've never heard of this either.

I am a trash to treasure junkie though. I will pull things out of people's trash, but not food items.

Usually it is furniture, household things, and just plain cool items that I can fix up, paint, reuse, etc.

I used to have to talk DH into stopping if we saw something cool, now he is the first one to spot things and stop to check them out!

**IntlMom** · 01-02-2008, 11:16 AM

Food - no way.....but I have been known to go through ppls recycling bins to see what treasures that they are getting rid of

**imforpeace** · 01-02-2008, 11:17 AM

I will only go so far to be a frugalista. Digging in ones garbage for dinner, I cannot do. I have trouble taking free things people left by their curbs.{I make my DH or DS get it..he he}

**bumplett** · 01-02-2008, 11:17 AM

I thought the term was "dumpster diver"

but I like "freegan" better

sounds ......... more........... free

not radical, but yes, I've gone dumpster diving for the sport of it!

just a few of the dumpsters we've poked through: Pike Nurseries, Big Lots, IGA.

**peanut** · 01-02-2008, 01:34 PM

Nope. I'm not a freegan. I reduce, reuse and recycle. But I don't pick my food from other people's garbage, and never will. I have picked household items from other people's garbage though...like discarded furniture.

Jean

**psyklon** · 01-02-2008, 03:20 PM

My Food Not Bombs group had a picnic one day made up of entirely of food items foraged from dumpsters. It's quite amazing how much delicious and edible food is thrown away by grocery stores every day.

**kaykwilts** · 01-02-2008, 03:37 PM

I am a freebie addict and I have gotten perfectly usable stuff out of dumpsters but I draw the line at getting food from dumpsters. I would worry about it being safe.

**Denvergirlie** · 01-02-2008, 08:15 PM

I have pulled a great deal of food and other items from store dumpsters.

**BetterLateThanNever** · 01-02-2008, 08:29 PM

Well when I was young and back packing Europe, I went to a McDonald's in Paris and was eating at a table outside. This woman with a baby in one arm and a small boy following her comes up to my table. I assumed that she was a gypsy sort of had that look about her. Anyway, she points to the burger i'm eating. I had no clue what she was getting at I just shook my head and she moved on to anther table. She repeats her gesture and that person shook his head. WEll third time is a charm! She approaches another table and this time picks up the burger off this guys plate. Takes a big bite and then passes it to the little boy to finish off. I know my jaw dropped. Never seen anything like it in my life.

**shoiji** · 01-02-2008, 08:59 PM

I was in DC eating outside at a restaurant with a friend. Anyway a person came up and just stood there looking at the food. Person looked like they could have been homeless, so I opened my unused napkin and placeed what was on my plate on the napkin and gave it to him.

May not have been the best idea, but was this person so greatful. It is just something that is hard for me to deal with. Seeing someone hungry.

Oh, and no I am not one. However the curbside furniture and things placed beside the dumpster are always looked at. No food picking though.