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Dumpster Diving: The Cheapest Way to Eat While Traveling
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Food can become a considerable expense if you are a backpacker exploring the world with a limited budget. If this is your style of travel, you might consider becoming a "freegan."A freegan is a vegetarian who eats for free. And how does one eat for free? Dumpster diving, of course.
The freegan movement is a relatively new one, despite its roots stretching back to the very first bum who pulled something out of the trash, gave it a sniff, and then wolfed it down. Today's freegans are a little more cultured and refined, according to Erika Hayasaki, who recently studied their lifestyle for a Los Angeles Times feature article. She claims that most of the dumpster divers "are often college-educated people from middle-class families" who are simply rebelling against capitalism and waste. Or, for the purpose of this post, just looking for a meal while thumbing their way to Dublin.
I slightly get the point. I certainly spent some time in my youth digging through grocery store dumpsters in search of melons to throw off of tall buildings. The amount of food that these places throw away is staggering and I was always amazed at how fresh some of the items looked. They never looked fresh enough to actually put in my mouth, but I can certainly see how others might want to do that--be it a statement against consumerism or simply to save a buck.
For those of you considering freeganism to supplement your hunger during your budget travel jaunts, you might want to check out Meetup.com--a site that offers dumpster-diving tours in Seattle, Houston, LA, and England. And, if you're really serious about this, Hayasaki also suggests Freegankitchen.com, a recipe site that promises "gourmet meals from the dumpster." Mmmmm...
For those of you considering freeganism to supplement your hunger during your budget travel jaunts, you might want to check out Meetup.com--a site that offers dumpster-diving tours in Seattle, Houston, LA, and England. And, if you're really serious about this, Hayasaki also suggests Freegankitchen.com, a recipe site that promises "gourmet meals from the dumpster." Mmmmm...
Filed under: Food and Drink, Budget Travel
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jeremy Mar 6th 2008 3:26AM
I dined with friends several years ago who were freegans (before the term was coined). We had some REALLY delicious meals. and the vegies and etc looked no worse off than that sitting in most people's fridge for a few days. and I think the idea of the anti-capitalism behind the freegan diet is that you're not giving money to the large companies, and to use the food that is otherwise wasted in a capitalist market such as in the US.
I think the stigma behind the diving is unfortunate because more times than not, the food is actually really fresh and inside a garbage bag, safe from touching the grimy dumpsters. It's not like these people are eating muck.
And freegans don't rely entirely on the food the find in the dumpster. There are local bakeries that will give you bread or pastries at the end of their business day. some will leave it in a bag outside their front door. all you do is pick it up. You just have to know where to go.
Charlotte Feb 8th 2012 6:07PM
""are often college-educated people from middle-class families" who are simply rebelling against capitalism and waste."
--Don't you mean STEALING from homeless people?
Willy Oct 10th 2007 7:42AM
HA! I have some neighbors who are freegans! During the last hurricane, when power throughout the town was out, they set up "Cafe Anarchista" and distributed food to passersby. The food was collected from various restaurants around town who would otherwise have had to throw the food away. I got a nice cheesecake and even some dog food.
I don't know if I would be a freegan on the road, however.
Jim@yosemitereservations Oct 10th 2007 8:01AM
I understand being hungry enough to do this....I do not understand being of a mind frame to plan ahead of time to do it !
Carly Oct 10th 2007 8:16AM
One note: freegans are not necessarily vegetarians. Other than that, my sister is a freegan dabbler, but it takes a lot of dedication and patience, and, the one bad part in my opinion, some measure of illegal activity.
Dumpster diving is almost always considered "trespassing" on private property (for liability purposes). So just be aware of that if you're planning to try it any time soon!
feedingofthe5000 Apr 16th 2009 12:46AM
Not true. Lot's of businesses are ok with and even encourage diving. Most bakery's, local markets, and even places like whole foods and trader joes have a pretty open policy with it. Also here in seattle, Odwalla, field roast, even have preferred times for diver's to stop by.
John P. Oct 10th 2007 8:50AM
I know this isn't the exact same thing, but as a teenager I went on two long (1000 mile plus) bicycle tours on limited budgets. Dumpster diving and rummaging through garbage cans at roadside rests got me through a few times when I was extremely hungry.
I guess I'm ok with it if you are really hungry and can't afford to eat properly otherwise.
But in general, I wouldn't recommend it.
Cesar from Argentina Oct 10th 2007 10:42AM
Umm...whatever you do, don't do this in South America. Not in Colombia, not in Peru, not in Argentina... You won't be finding anything fresh in a dumpster.
Paul Oct 10th 2007 12:59PM
Freegans are idiots. The fact that their anti-capitalist movement still relies on capitalism for survival makes it pointless. If you want to make a statement, grow your own food. A much more logical solution, no?
feedingofthe5000 Apr 16th 2009 12:45AM
wow. and where are they gonna grow this food? On magical no-man's land!!! To grow food, you need a land base. Owning property will arguably tie you further into capitalism. Diving also reduces the amount of overall 'waste', which can then be redistributed to people who need it(ever heard of food not bombs?). Although you have a (somewhat)valid point, your criticism is harsh and unrealistic.
Robobagins Oct 10th 2007 2:04PM
As a former grocery worker I'm not surprised about finding fresh food in the skip. I remember it was policy to trash anything found opened or damaged in that night's deliveries. Fresh tub of butter with hole in lid? Trash. Torn box of individually wrapped microwavable meat pies? Trash? Etc. Crushing tubs of butter and melons in the trash compactor was always a favorite. You'd be amazed how many came without lids at all!
Jamie Rhein Oct 10th 2007 8:33PM
A friend of ours dumpster dives. He knows just when certain stores throw out stuff and makes the rounds. He rarely buys food and doesn't have to dig to find it.