This month’s podcast is an interview with Ginger Freebird who used Freeganism or dumpster diving, to 
feed the hungry and homeless. In this interview we learn about what Freeganism is, what spurred her to take the leap, and how she has been able to donate nearly $30,000 worth of fresh food to area homeless shelters and food centers in only 9 months.
I met Ginger on Twitter and was amazed by her Squidoo page where she shows, with pictures, what she has been able to accomplish utilizing the totally legal (in most cases) practice of dumpster diving or Freeganism. She has some great stories to tell about what she finds and who she helps. And dare I say she has inspired me to possibly take up her cause after I move to the city this spring. I am just blown away buy the completely fresh, sometimes organic, fruits and veggies she finds thrown in the garbage every week to make room for new stock. Not only has she done some amazing things for the hungry in her hometown but she has made a serious dent in her own food budget.
Ginger also shares tips and advice if you want to get started as well. Just take a look at the picture below to see what you might be missing! Listen in or read the transcripts.
Wow! This is amazing! I can’t believe all the food (and non-food) she hauls in. Such a shame that it all gets thrown away, but so wonderful that Ginger is collecting it for a good cause. She’s doing a wonderful thing.
My daughter is standing here asking me if we can go dive into the bins outside Whole Foods tonight :) Wonder what sorts of treasure we’d find in there!
I’ve considered dumpster diving for materials I can reclaim for home improvement/DIY/art products but not food. Basically I feared finding a lot of expired food that would make me sick. Maybe I should rethink this? I really hate to see good food thrown away. If nothing else, my compost bin would like expired food better than the landfill would.
I would be careful about dumpster diving. I work at a health food store and after the Freegans were on Oprah we had people raiding our dumpster. We already give away everything we can to a soup kitchen so the only food in our dumpster is stuff that should not be eaten. Many stores have the same policy or programs.
Linked at http://mydiyhometips.com/2008/11/05/blog-carnival-edition-no-10-everything-home/
Thank you for submitting
Rosemary
This is amazing and I really enjoyed this article. I also wrote about Freeganism a few weeks ago – http://www.5minutesforgoinggreen.com/255/when-good-food-gets-wasted/
It’s really cool that you were able to meet someone and get the inside scoop! The photo is shocking and makes me think about the statistics of waste even more.
I’m so encouraged that she has found such a great way for others (and herself!) to benefit.
I am all for taking discarded food for people who do not have the means to provide for themselves, but it appears to me that you are doing a disservice to farmers who depend on our consumerism to pay their bills, secure their jobs and continue to keep their farms alive. I am confused by this approach?? I applaud your use of this food for people in need but am deeply saddened that you are hurting others. Maybe try planting a garden! Please enlighten me if I am wrong! It is the only way to grow and learn as an individual!
Brooke,
Some places do donate but MOST do not….they just toss to make room for new arrivals.
Brandi, consumerism is bad for the planet and usually only contributes to the wealth of a small percentage. It is better to use what already have, salvage, and find ways to reduce and reuse before we buy. When you do buy new you can buy direct from farmers or small businesses and that would be good but honestly if you don’t have to…then you don’t have to and shouldn’t feel guilty about it.
Thanks for you point. However, at my grocery store (Whole Foods) our local farmers (of whom I support by purchasing through their co-op) also sell their produce through Whole Foods. That is why I raised my concern about the disregard for these local, hardworking farms! Regarding your outlook on consumerism, I assume you are not making any money from advertisers on this biog, all of whom are selling products to consumers and promoting the consumerism that you speak so negatively of??
Brandi,
As I have stated on this blog MANY times. Consumerism needs to be reduced to affect real change. In addition to that we need to shop smarter. It is not an option to stop shopping altogether but we can make better choices which is what I help people to do with this blog. Ads ensure that I get to keep doing that. My ad dollars go toward my own green and ethical purchases too.
Buying local and supporting farmers is a great way to shop smarter but we are under no obligation to purchase if we don’t have to. I am a little confused as to why someone feeding their family with free food or donating it to people who are hungry is in any way selfish. This is like saying people who grow their own food are selfish because we could have bought it. We should always strive to help our community when we can but we should not feel bad if we find some degree of self sufficiency. Self sufficiency is smart and foward thinking…not selfish.
Brandi, are you saying it would be better for the food to go to waste? Freegans are doing nothing that causes the food to be thrown out, they are simply “harvesting” what already exists. How is that hurting anyone?
I have to agree with Randa. I don’t see how rescuing food that would have gone to waste harms farmers. Secret Freegan is giving it to shelters that probably couldn’t afford to even buy fresh fruits and vegetables (at least, not in the large quantities she provides) and would likely be providing less nutritious (and, sorry to say, lesser quality) foods. Perhaps I’m wrong, in my mind homeless shelters don’t seem to be the typical farmer’s market patron (or that of expensive grocery stores). I see Freegan’s actions as nothing short of win-win in nature. If there is a bonus for her family (i.e., she allows herself to keep some of the food to feed her own family) it’s a fitting reward for her time , as well as the gasoline spent foraging and distributing. IMHO her deeds are helpful and kind. She could quite easily take only for herself and abandon the remainder to the garbage heap. Instead, she not only goes to the trouble of gathering and disbributing it to the needy, she shares her secret with us via this blog/lense, Perhaps I’m missing a major point, but I see this as bordering on noble in nature. Again, just my humble opinion, for what it’s worth.
I started taking food from bins out of necessity, it’s not a political statement. Many people I have met are on disability or social security, or work and don’t make enough to buy food at all or decent nutritious food.
Not all stores donate their food, so it’s dumped. Or they donate, but still dump good food. I would rather go to a food bank started by churches(non-profit number) I have gone to one food bank, the food was junk food, no fruits or fresh vegetable, or unprocessed food. The bins food was of a much better quality, now isn’t that ironic?
I see it every night happening. While many people have to buy cheap junk food to fill their stomachs, or fill up on pasta and beans. Which I know will lead to health issues down the road, especially diabetes and obesity. NO fresh produce or fruit in their diets, just refined carbohydrates!
Farmers are not hurt, the stores already purchased the food, the farmers are paid. The store does not make a profit off of the food they throw away, but the food would be thrown away no matter what because it is expired. BECAUSE not enough people could afford to buy the food in the first place, that’s why it’s in the TRASH!!!!!
If people could buy this food they would, just like I would. But should it go into a landfill anyways? By the way my boyfriend works, so do I, but we don’t make enough to buy food. Nor can be qualify for assistance, does the Gov have the money to give to us help in the form of foodstamps, doubt it!
Excellent work, Ginger!
Trying to do the same thing here in Michigan but very tough – many obstacles and restrictions with locked bins.
Always open to suggestions tho …
Invite all to see our work:
http://1-dollar-a-day.blogspot.com
Follow on Twitter: HopeHeals
Thanks!
Karla
Hi – I have to clear out my storage unit, can anyone tell me if there is a free dumpster/collection service for charity? It’s all perfectly serviceable/nice household stuff (incl appliances), and it would be shameful to just take it all to the landfill…any tips please?
Lovely lady – couldn’t access your podcast, am I missing something?
So how are you making money dumpsters diving ? Do you have a regular job to pay for your BMW? How do u afford a BMW!