Dumpster Diving--Attacking the World's Waste

From WHAS-11 (KY).

"Tara Manning is working to fix one of the world's biggest problems, but carries her own heavy burdens along the way.

"My husband died a few years ago so he wasn't able to support me. I live on a fixed income because though I look really healthy, I have some pretty interesting health problems,” said Manning.

Manning knows these hardships aren't exclusive, but with her back against the wall and a young daughter to feed, she's choosing solutions over excuses, "When times get tough, you have to get really radical in your thinking," said Manning.

Sometimes radical means not going through the front door of the grocery store. You may know it as dumpster diving, Manning knows it as grocery shopping. Manning goes looking through trash, which can be treasure.

"Food stamps determined I would only get $5 a month to feed myself and my child, so I began visiting local dumpsters," said Manning.

She admits it's an acquired taste.

Pitched produce and forgotten fruit, deemed dead by grocers, takes on new life in Manning's kitchen. She normally goes it alone, but when WHAS11 tagged along, an unexpected guest helps with the hunt.

Together they weed through the waste. These dumpsters divers, are less commonly known as ‘Freegans’: the food they're after is free and they are vegan. Their goal? Reclaim and minimize the world's waste.

"I take it home and clean it and give it to friends. I cook for friends and share the wealth," said fellow dumpster diver Bob Cheever.

They leave with full bags. But, even as a Freegan, not every piece makes the cut.

“I get everything sorted out here and then I’m going to rinse it in a mild bleach and water solution to kill any possible bacteria," said Manning.
Manning believes a clean kitchen is also a healthy kitchen. "It's really important to make sure everything is sanitary because you're feeding this to your family. My husband died of type two diabetes complications and if the way to prevent that in my child is by dumpster diving, then of course, that's what I’m going to do,” said Manning.

Manning’s 11-year-old daughter Hanna isn't complaining. "There was this spaghetti. It was probably the best spaghetti she's ever made. Meatless, cheese less. Wow!,” said Hanna.

Hanna has learned the court of public opinion can make harsh judgments; especially when kids at school find out where your lunch comes from.

"I'd rather her be embarrassed about where the food is coming from and how we're getting it than being embarrassed because her tummy is growling so loud at school kids make fun of her," said Tara.

The aroma of slow cooking French onion soup and roasted vegetable medley fills the kitchen. Forgotten is the decomposing stench of the wet garbage can where the meal was harvested.

It's certainly not the first meal of this type she's prepared, but this time the pressure's on.

"This will be the first time that I've actually had local Louisvillians here to eat one of my Freegan meals. I think people are a little nervous about it,” added Manning.

The guests know the meal's origin and if they had any apprehension going in, the slurping and chewing prove it's now only a memory.

"I'm so totally freaking impressed, not just by the taste of the of the food, but by the spirit of the occasion," one guest told WHAS-11.

In a country that's replaced healthy meals with happy meals, this is truly a happy and healthy meal. A simple spread, in a simple setting, with a simple motive: no waste was involved.

Tara estimates she's saved thousands of dollars since she started this about six months ago.

She also said she doesn't get all her food from the trash can. She does buy some from the store. She also says she's never gotten sick from eating this food."