You know what they say … “the best things in life are free.” They also say … “one man’s trash is another man’s gold.” Well for Freegans, much of our trash is their gold and many of them live a healthy lifestyle off the things we give them for free (the things we consider waste). Freeganism is the practice of reclaiming and eating food that has been discarded. Freeganism is a total boycott of an economic system where the profit motive has eclipsed ethical considerations and where massively complex systems of productions ensure that all the products we buy will have detrimental impacts most of which we may never even consider.
“Freeganism is creative living outside of capitalism.” – Cindy Rosin –
In this episode of Subculture Club we meet a few Freegans in New York City and learn about their strategies for practical living. We explore the choices they make and learn about their opinions on consumerism. Watch and learn why they take limited participation in the conventional economy and minimal consumption of resources.
Directed/Produced/Edited by Matt Porter
Cinematography/Produced by Andrew Ellis
Production Assisted by Alix Pentecost-Farren and Brittany Buongiorno
Special Thanks to: Freegan.info, Cindy Rosin, Janet Kalish, Madeline Nelson, Gio Andollo, The City Winery, Norwhich Meadows Farm
Thank you for sharing the realities of food waste in the US, and the possibilities of “rescuing” it and sharing it with those in need. It is part of my daily life as well here in Phoenix, Arizona. I have been donating food to hungry families for nearly 5 years. If the US recovered 40% of grocery store waste, there would be NO hunger in America. There are 46 million Americans on food stamps, while the stores dump twice as much as is needed to feed them.