Free Food… Who wants it?
This past week I was able to pick up 3 boxes of “chicken scraps” from my local produce store. There would have been even more delicious refuse to take home, but I had to call ahead and let my produce guy know I needed to pick my stuff up about 3 hours earlier than normal.
He was like “Hey Mavis, what’s going on?”
Then I told him about how I was going on a trip, and that I didn’t want to miss my pick up day so would it be okay if I came a little early this time? And it was.
I figured it would be better to come early, pick up the loot, hurry back home and quickly process the scraps before I had to head to the airport, rather than cancel my pick up day. Was it convenient? No. But I think the key to this whole “I’ll come pick up your scraps” journey is sticking to your word. Showing up when you say you are going to and not inconveniencing someone who is willing to give you something for free, just because he thinks you are a little soft in the head.
Because I only had about 30 minutes to process the food, I was not able to save everything that was edible. But, I still think I was able to salvage quite a bit.
- 2 plastic tubs of watermelon {1 day past their “sell by” date}
- 2 gallons of strawberries {I froze them to use in smoothies later this winter}
- 1.5 lbs mini sweet pepper {great for snacking}
- 6 oz mushrooms {I think I’ll use them for stir fry}
- 6 green onions {stir fry}
- 1 lonely potato {The Girl will eat I’m sure}
- 2 tomatoes {?}
- A hand full of raspberries
- 22 apples {snacking and dehydrating}
Everything else was divided up between our chickens and Girly Girl’s flock.
So there you have it. Another week of free produce for Mavis.
It’s been 2 months now, what do YOU think? Are you surprised at how much food I have been able to save from the trash? Do YOU think it’s gross? Have you tried talking to your local grocery store or produce stand to see if they are will to give you their scraps?
MAVIS WANTS TO KNOW!
Want to see what else I’ve brought home over the past 2 months? Check out the stories below.
If you’ve been thinking about purchasing a Food Saver…
Amazon currently the Food Saver Starter Kit on sale for $71.98 shipped and I am so tempted to but it. I’ve been hesitating buying a Food Saver System for years now, because of the cost, but I think I might be finally ready to take the plunge. Three of my neighbors own Food Savers and just rave about them. Do you own one? Do you love it?
- Starter kit includes Heat-Seal bags and FoodSaver rolls
- Keeps your food fresh up to 5x longer
- Large, easy to read control buttons for easy operation
- Two sealing levels – great for moist or dry foods
- Double-wide sealing strip for the strongest seal
LisaB says
Buy a vacuum sealer! We use ours for everything including meat, leftovers, soups, juices, and resealing potato chip bags! I would not get this one you show that stands up. While inexpensive and a counter space saver, it wastes bags. You have to use more bag to get it to go in and up than you would use with a model that lies flat. We “upgraded” to this one for about a day. Don’t do it.
Sarah says
Good job on the quick processing! You’re a busy lady!
I don’t think it’s gross at all. It’s the same food people were shopping through a day before you pick it up. And when we buy the food sitting on display we still have to clean it and cut off bad parts sometimes.
I don’t know what to do though. I really want to do this “chicken scraps” pick-up deal you’re doing, but I’ve tried two regional grocery chains. They say “It’s a legal thing. We can’t help you out.” They did also tell me that anything that’s edible and a little pass the due date gets reused in their salad bar or food court. So at least they are supposedly not tossing EVERYTHING out. What should I do? Is your store locally owned or chain? Maybe that’s where I’m going wrong.
Have fun at the airport and your trip!
LaurelB says
My first food saver lasted 19 years. I purchased a new one about two years ago. Cannot live without it. It never even leaves the counter. I just stand it up and push it to the back. The best investment ever!
LaToya says
I’m jealous – totally – always. For various reasons, no place here will give me their scraps.
And where are you going? And was it on the cheap? And show me what you pack. I can’t believe you travel with just your 3 little gray shirts. I pack 40 bags of shoes and only wear like 2 of them. Madness.
Enjoy!
Mavis says
Actually I only brought 2 t-shirts and a dress this time. You would be proud of me. 😉
Heidi says
I am truly amazed week after week when I see what you salvage from “scraps”. I would love to be able to do what you’re doing but so far I haven’t found a willing grocery store. Last week I was buying a head of lettuce while the produce guy was removing the spoiled lettuce from the shelf and I asked where it was going. Luckily the local food bank picks up all of the scraps. I was glad to hear that it wasn’t thrown out because of government regulations.
Mavis says
That’s nice to hear someone is picking it up. 🙂
SaraB says
I was able to find a produce stand that gives their ‘scraps’ to people who ask for it. I just drop off a box in the morning and pick it up in the evening…I can do it 7 days a week, if I want! Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to try it out yet, but my plan is to do it for the first time this weekend. Thanks for the great idea, I love your blog!
Holly G says
I love my food saver. The canning jar attachments are especially great. I store dry goods in glass and dont have to worry about varmits getting in to it. I also vacuum “can” lettuce to store in the fridge for up to a week – just pop the seal and I have instant salad.. Go for it!
Beth says
I have this food savery- my motherinlaw gave it to us for Christmas and it replaced an older version of the same. This new one is amazing- love love love it. We use it for everything- I did Zaycon chicken in January with it- and it went so much faster than the last time I did Zaycon chicken with the older model. You should get it- you will love it. It has a setting for “moist” food which the previous version didn’t and it is wonderful!!
Jackie says
My parents have a food saver and use it all the time. Dad’s a sous chef at a swanky hotel so he’s always marinating meat and stuff in his bags for the week or tossing it in the freezer. When we’re out of our apartment and have more than 5 sq. feet of counter space, it’s going on my Christmas list.
Also, I wanted to let you know that you’ve inspired me with all this reclaimed food! I’m not picking up chicken scraps from anywhere but I am going to start volunteering with our local gleaning organization as a way to meet new people and get food into the hands of some of the people who need it most in our community. I also started reading American Wasteland and it’s really an eye-opener. And personally, we don’t throw much away in our trash anymore either.
Katie says
We use ours all the time….and love it! Do it! 🙂 Albertsons is having their buy $100 gift card and get $20 in groceries this week…buy an amazon card and get some free groceries as well! 🙂
Mavis says
I know… I saw it. I’m so excited! You know how much I love Amazon!!!!
Courtney says
Ok let me start out by saying, I love your blog.
You put it out there to ask our opinion so I have been thinking about it for a while.
I totally appriciate your resourcefulness with giftcards and swagbucks to keep to your budget. But…does the grocer know that you eat most of what you pick up from them? I cringe when you call it chicken scraps, and when some one else called it “chicken scraps” when you are not using it as chicken scraps. I totally understand that it is going in the garbage weither you pick it up or not but it just doesn’t feel honest to me.
If the grocer has a problem with people not eating the “perfect produce” then he should donate it to a shelter or a foodbank. If its good enough for you it would be good enough for them.
Just my thoughts.
Mavis says
Actually I do feed quite a bit of scraps to my chickens. 🙂
Annett says
Hello Mavis!
I think its FANTASTIC that you get these “scraps” for free. Its awesome!
I wish I could do that here….. our local stores won’t let us take anything and the one produce guy in town…well his produce on the shelf isn’t all that great…I’d almost hate the see the throw aways…
But I bet our local grocers have a lot they throw away and its such a shame.
Keep going with it!!! I know I would if I could.
Thanks for sharing your AWESOME blog!!
>>Annett
Lissa says
LOL Mavis this post cracks me up – mostly because I have so done almost the same thing! (scrambling to shop before a trip) Last September there was an awesome Albies doublers week (skittles 1lb bags for $0.50 stands out to me as I’m a skittles lover) and I had a 9am flight that Sunday morning. I had everything packed, list ready. Got my papers at about 4am, cut last few coupons and doublers, drove towards SeaTac, shopped at 6a as soon as the Burien store opened, and then got my cab to the airport. Left shopping bags in the trunk (obviously, no perishables). Felt very happy with myself. 😀
Reclaimed week #7 here:
6lbs strawberries (a friend is giving me an ice cream maker – sorbet!!!)
80z raspberries
handful blackberries
4 Roma tomatoes
6 ears corn
3 heads lettuce
2lbs green beans
1 potato
1 carrot
1 bunch parsley
1 cantalope
YAY!
Mavis says
You will love making homemade sorbet! Congrats on all your free goodness!
Heather says
I am stunned by the goodies. I don’t even know where to start with that one.
GET A food saver. BEST APLLIANCE EVER!!!
I use it for lemon juice ice cubes, dried fruit, bacon/chicken from zaycon…
Chips, dried fruits…. You name it. IT is on my counter being used all the time. Got it at costco 6 years ago and going strong. CAme with tons of bags, containers and tons of other goodies.
You will NOT regret it!
Kay says
I just found your site, and love it!! I am planning to ask my stores tomorrow for scraps – since I do have chickens, and they LOVE fresh scraps!! But I NEVER NEVER ask for stuff like that – so i am scared spitless! With trembling and fear…. hopefully the first store will agree – otherwise I may lose all nerve.
Mavis says
You never know unless you try. 🙂
Tracie says
I ran across mini sweet peppers in our store. The 2 pound bags had 1 or 2 peppers that were moldy. I ask if I could have a deal…I got 6 2 pound bags for $6… brought them home washed them took out the moldy ones put them in the fridge for 5 days until i could get back to them…took the seeds out. sliced them and froze them in bags with chopped oin..I take them out and fry them, roast them, or just add them to what ever I am making..It is great…Normal they are 6.99 a bag…So now I always look for bruises or a moldy strawberry in the pack and i ask the produce guy to disocunt them and he does…
Mavis says
Well done Tracie!
Marie Dorris says
I came across your site and love it!!! Oh If no one answered the “little orange” question in reclaimed food week #8 it appears to be a kumquat =)
Nicolette says
I’ve recently stumbled on your site, deciding how to go about making my vertical pallet garden. So glad I stumbled!
I am a dyi-er to the core and appreciate your resourcefulness. I don’t eat meat, so it’s not easy buying enough produce! I’ve been discussing it with my husband- he is too embarrassed to ask, but not me! Unfortunately, we do not currently have chickens to use as “scraps” reason. But I’m determined to think of something and will be asking soon….as soon as I think of a true reason besides “hey, gimme all your free food!”
Thank you so much for posting your story!
Sturgin says
Mavis, I bought a Food Saver V2222, with the bags, between Thanksgiving and Christmas 2010 for $24. (I actually bought two) I found it on Groupon.com. It’s better than my old one because it locks shut when it’s vacuuming (so I no longer have to hold it) I use it a lot. It works great.