Monday, November 29, 2004

Freegans

Our aversion to things that have been in the garbage is pretty strong. Remember the episode of Seinfeld where George picks an eclair out of the garbage and eats it?
Jerry: So let me get this straight. You find yourself in the kitchen, you see an eclair in the receptacle, and you think to yourself, 'What the hell, I'll just eat some trash.'
George: No no no no no. It was not trash.
J: Was it in the trash?
G: Yes.
J: Then it was trash.
G: It wasn't down in. It was sort of on top.
J: But it was in the cylinder.
G: Above the rim.
J: Adjacent to refuse is... refuse.
G: It was on a magazine. And it still had the doily on.
J: Was it eaten?
G: One little bite.
J: Well, that's garbage.
G: But I know who took the bite. It was her aunt.
J: Well, you, my friend, have crossed the line that divides man and bum. You are now a bum.
According to this article, Freegans don't have such an aversion. They dive into dumpsters collecting food that has been tossed out. Their organization, Food Not Bombs, then shares the collected food with the homeless. Apparently dumpster cuisine isn't for everyone. Even some of the homeless will pass up the free food once they learn where it's coming from.
posted by Bob at 11/29/2004 08:30:00 PM  | | digg | del.icio.us | reddit