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| -Short Attention Span Theater- |
| Trash Holds Culinary Delights for Freegans |
| 2004-10-21 |
| NEW YORK — One person's trash is literally another person's treasure, if that person happens to be a freegan. They're not vegans who refuse to eat meat or animal products; these people eat out of the garbage. Freegans generally are activists. They believe we live in a capitalistic society gone mad where food, like so many other items, is needlessly tossed out. Adam Weissman and some freegan friends, none of whom are homeless or destitute, dig through garbage for food in Manhattan's trendy Upper East Side. They refuse to economically support companies that make or sell the items, because they equate doing so with encouraging further exploitation of our natural resources. "I'm saying we're too materialistic and it's ruining our lives," Weissman said. "We're wasting enough food to literally feed every starving hungry person on the planet." But one supermarket manager says the companies are not the ones being put out. "My first impression is personally I feel sorry for them because I don't think anyone would want to do that," said store boss James Massari. But the freegans aren't looking for pity, in fact they're sympathetic to the people who actually paid money for food they take home for free. "It irks my sense of justice that things are getting thrown away that people can use," said Alexis Cole. Cole not only provides freegan food for her roommates, but has furnished most of her apartment through dumpster diving. Do the freegans ever get sick? They say no, primarily because they take precautions like washing the fruits and vegetables and not eating anything that's spoiled. What's next, roadatarians? |
| Posted by:ed |
| #8 The angst present in the articles subjects is easily understandable. When you are lost in a society that is so rich it becomes hard to understand why people won't just give you everything . . . I mean, you deserve it, right? Isn't that what this life is about? Getting the people who work hard to support your sorry arse? |
| Posted by: Jame Retief 2004-10-21 11:26:03 PM |
| #7 Saw something similar to this on a PBS show. Young guy and gal -- such hypocrits. They were so smug about how they got free bagels out of the trash and squatted in a building. Ranted on about the evils of capitalism, blah, blah, blah. Not really noticing that it was capitalism that allows them to surf off of the trash. They wouldn't be so happy, or so well fed, doing that in a communist country like the old Soviet Union, or China up until most recently. Looked like kids of upper middle class. Maybe even wealthy families. |
| Posted by: DO 2004-10-21 10:39:26 PM |
| #6 it pays to know your local take out man there a 30 minute golden time before it goes to the dumpster or shredder or 5th harvest |
| Posted by: half 2004-10-21 4:51:01 PM |
| #5 Freegans generally are activists. Yeah, I was shocked to find that out. |
| Posted by: tu3031 2004-10-21 1:55:16 PM |
| #4 Many fast food places that advert: âbaked fresh, crispest salads, etcâ will dump(ster) perfectly good food (putting it in the dumpster carefully so the freegans can easily retrieve it). Movie houses, convenience stores and salad bars do the same. All except the Chinese places, they find a way to eventually use everything. Good old â¦MSG! |
| Posted by: RN 2004-10-21 1:39:22 PM |
| #3 "It irks my sense of justice that things are getting thrown away that people can use," said Alexis Cole. Whoa, that's deep... garbage eater. |
| Posted by: BH 2004-10-21 1:32:32 PM |
| #2 Mmmmm...carrion! |
| Posted by: SteveS 2004-10-21 1:21:31 PM |
| #1 Yeah, I know one of these guys....he only eats packaged foods and veggies out of the dumpster. Needless to say, I don't go to his barbecues.... |
| Posted by: Desert Blondie 2004-10-21 1:21:14 PM |