On Oprah Wednesday

Subject: On Oprah Wednesday Thu 28 Feb 2008, 1:44 pm

Did anyone see Oprah Wednesday,She did a show about "Could you live on less"and had a woman on their that said she lived a lifestyle called Freegan.Thats where her and a large group on people would go out twice a week and scavenge grocery store dumpsters a nd take the food that the store had thrown out..such as veggies that had started to brown or coffee that expired past the date.Canned goods wiith the paper off,,so you couldnt tell what it was unles you opened it.

These people were 6 figureds a year income also..some were on a modest income also.The point was to learn the different from the 2 words...NEED and WANT.That had me thinking,,,I really like that phrase,,what do I NEED compared to what do I WANT. Suspect

they had Doctors and engineers,,in dumpsters finding furniture and things for their homes,,but no one mentioned thrift shops.
My brother has gone out before and gotten shelving for his garage from behind a grocery store and it was really good sturdy shelves.
They also(the Freegans) were also making a point of what all gets thrown away and goes to the landfills.

Subject: Re: On Oprah Wednesday Thu 28 Feb 2008, 2:04 pm

I guess they didn't mention Thrift Stores because you don't get anything for free there. It's an interesting concept, but I'm not sure I would want food from a dumpster. It is a good way to learn wants from needs, though.

Subject: Re: On Oprah Wednesday Thu 28 Feb 2008, 2:21 pm

I have heard about this before I am sure I am ready to go that far ..
_________________
Gayla

"They take great pride in making their dinner cost much; I take my pride in making my dinner cost so little."

---Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)

Moderator Age : 28 Joined : 12 Oct 2006 Posts : 2020

I have heard about this too...no dumpsters for me...furniture is one thing...but food no way!

Subject: Re: On Oprah Wednesday Thu 28 Feb 2008, 4:09 pm

This is the first time hearing of this.
I must say, it's very interesting.
Would I be able to do it? Most likely not.

Well... I would say that if it were Breuggers Bagels or Panera, I could take some bagels, but fruits & veggies? Most likely not. Canned goods - absolutely.

~M
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"It is not how much money you make - it is how you spend it."

Subject: Re: On Oprah Wednesday Thu 28 Feb 2008, 5:18 pm

When I was watching it, the reporter on the show said you will be surprise on what you see.As I am watching it I thought,,dumpster food is just trash with nasty rodents etc on and in them,,but then they showed people doing it,,,I was totally surprise on what is wasted and thrown away.I have never eaten from a dumpster but was really surprised on what stores do throw away.
If I was homeless,,I could see doing this,,but thank the Lord I am able to live in a home.

Subject: Re: On Oprah Wednesday Thu 28 Feb 2008, 6:10 pm

I have seen good food items being written off and dumped from stores I've worked at. Bread, dairy, chocolate ( Shocked

) etc. because of expiry dates and this is to abide with Health & Safety regulations, there are massive fines for selling expired food products. Very rarely do I see canned goods unless they are blown or badly damaged in which case it would most likely be unsafe to use the contents.
Personally, I would not use food from a dumpster, they stink so bad and are crawling with insects/pests, some too small to see... What a Face

I'm cautious about food expiry dates. Household items are 'fair game' though!
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~ LESS IS MORE ~

Subject: Re: On Oprah Wednesday Thu 28 Feb 2008, 6:55 pm

I'm thinking that if the economy continues to spiral downward, there might be more people willing to take what others throw out....the stigma against it might ease a bit....as for food, for me, it would not be worth it to risk sickness...especially with affordable health care hard to come by....but I have no problem with mild dents, repaired packaging, and some things a few days past expiration when offered at half price or less....maybe the health department might ease up a bit on some regulations....there is way too much edible food thrown out by food stores and restaurants that is safe and would be very welcome by those who are truly hungry....
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Love is a fruit, in season at all times and within the reach of every hand. Anyone may gather it and no limit is set. ~ Mother Teresa

Subject: Re: On Oprah Wednesday Thu 28 Feb 2008, 7:55 pm

I know expired food should not be 'sold' but I remember reading something about it being 'given' away. I don't know why fresh foods can't be frozen and given to shelters, etc...but that could be open to abuse also, I suppose there are reasons why this isn't done, it is a waste though. Most dumped food is past expiry date. Chilled food has to be stored below 4 degrees and should only be out of refrigeration for approx. 30 minutes, those are regulations we have to follow, if we find anything out of refrigeration we have to record and dump it also. Customers do this 'A LOT', it's very wasteful.
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~ LESS IS MORE ~

Subject: Re: On Oprah Wednesday Thu 28 Feb 2008, 7:59 pm

That is so true skin,,each company has to play it safe as not to be sued,,I think maybe farmers should be allowed to nab the veggies and fruits for their livestock,,this way someone is getting some help with cost.

Subject: Re: On Oprah Wednesday Thu 28 Feb 2008, 11:02 pm

alot is donated Manna food and Second Harvest get alot of thing near expiration date and flash freeze it .. it a blessing to small food banks .
_________________
Gayla

"They take great pride in making their dinner cost much; I take my pride in making my dinner cost so little."

---Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)