the wastes of capitalism are delicious
Originally uploaded by Shira Golding
Trash, it’s what’s for dinner.
Last year, I discovered The Gleaners and I, a French documentary about people who subsist on what other’s throw away. Submerse yourself in this beautiful little film and emerge with a new sense of opportunity to re-use more and waste less.
Today, the New York Times has a story on gleaners’ American counterpart, the self-named “freegans”. Different name, same idea:
Freegans are scavengers of the developed world, living off consumer waste in an effort to minimize their support of corporations and their impact on the planet, and to distance themselves from what they see as out-of-control consumerism. They forage through supermarket trash and eat the slightly bruised produce or just-expired canned goods that are routinely thrown out, and negotiate gifts of surplus food from sympathetic stores and restaurants.
The freegans of New York City and the gleaners of France do differ in one aspect: community. The gleaners seem a lonely lot, scavaging in solitude for their humble meal of potato and onion. Freegans embrace community:
As rigorous and radical as the freegan world view can be, there is also something quaint about the movement, at least the version that Mr. Weissman promotes, with its embrace of hippie-ish communal activities and its household get-togethers that rely for diversion on conversation rather electronic entertainment.
Decrease dependance on pre-made packaged foods and frozen ready-meals. Increase time spent with friends and family. Cook more meals together. Have more fun. Be happier. The end.
See also:
* freegan.info
* The Gleaners and I on IMDB
* New York Times article
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