We have been noticing a lot of news stories on Freeganism lately.
It’s a anti-consumerism lifestyle that is steadily gaining popularity as more people hear about it. There are documentaries, tours, and new groups starting up all the time.
As gardeners, we realize that this really isn’t a new movement, it’s just normal practice for gardeners. We call it sharing our plants.
And everything old is new again.
Coming over to visit in the summer and you will leave with armfuls of fresh picked produce, enough to keep you fed in salads for a week.
The Freegans choose to pick wild flowers from park paths for their salads.
Sure they are free, but we are pretty sure that a city dog did not walk by and water our veggies.
Visit a gardener in the spring or fall, and most times you won’t leave empty handed. “Oh I have some volunteers of this plant, here take some.”
Or you will hear, “I’m splitting this perennial up, let me give you some.”
My early childhood memories involve standing next to a towering pitchfork, as a neighbor pried a dahlia tuber up from the ground. Or a shovel of dirt exposing the perennial roots of a flowering plant that would become the keystone of our garden.
When we played at the neighboring kids houses, their mother’s would always send home a bag of peas, or some lettuce. It was just what gardeners did. Freegans will be going through the restaurants trash to find day old wilted lettuce.
So while Freeganism may be all the rage now, we gardeners just nod our heads and realize that everything old is new again.
Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams
Very true. but hopefully this time the trend stays longer and spreads more
ReplyDeleteHi Jen, What a pretty photo today. Growing up in a small town, it was commonplace for folks to share what they had ~ you have brought back some sweet memories with this post today. Hope you enjoy your Tuesday.
ReplyDeleteHi, Jen;
ReplyDeleteHow true... I've populated most of my garden with seeds and volunteers gladly donated from other gardening friends. :)
hmmm....I hadn't heard about these Freegans. It sounds like a good idea that's gone a bit too far. I'm not sure I want to be routing through the trash for my dinner.
ReplyDeleteNew "rages" are often "old standbys" in disguise! Fortunately, with the down-turned economy frugal principles are returning! Love this post.
ReplyDeleteJust a new word for an old practice.
ReplyDeletehaha the dog comment was great. Im all for old is new, but some people take it way farther than I ever will be able to.
ReplyDeleteSharing sounds so friendly - freeganism (?) sounds a bit lonely. But the idea of making good use of what we have with minimal waste is always a good one.
ReplyDeleteI saw some thing on tv about the Freegans in New York. Lots of places to pick from there. When we had a garden that is what we did -give it away.
ReplyDeletePatsy
Though 'Freeganism' is a new thought for me, Jen, good stuff and lovely photo.
ReplyDeleteWhile I love foraging in the woods for berries and mushrooms, I certainly wouldn't want to go dumpster diving.
ReplyDeleteLove those pumpkins in your photo.
Last-Born has despaired of me all summer as I've given away (she might say 'forced upon them')fruit and vegetables to all the workmen that spent weeks here ...I've never heard it called 'Freeganism' before though!
ReplyDeleteOh so true - gardeners have a generous, supportive, and sharing spirit. If we could only propagate that spirit and have it take root in the hearts of others. Perhaps it helps when we share our gardens with non-gardeners.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard the term Freeganism before either. I'm just an old hippie recycler still. But you're right, gardeners always have something to share. After all, what can you do with all of those extra Day Lilies and Iris?
ReplyDeleteI love gardeners~they are generous and sharing souls...Jen, your photo today is lovely. gail
ReplyDeleteYou reminded me of my Grammy's bearded iris that was divided and redivided to find new homes every time the tubers needed to be thinned. In fact, I think my aunt still has some that are progeny from those iris... 30+ years later.
ReplyDeleteOh my..I cannot imagine dumpster diving for food..that is what really hungry animals do up here for food..like Bears and feral cats. We do lock our cars during the height of the Zucchini season..:)
ReplyDeleteNice Post!
ReplyDeleteYou're absolutely right, Jen. It's just like trends. Keep something long enough and it will come back into fashion. Kindness and generosity, thankfully, never went out of style.
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Your photo of the white pumpkins is really pretty. I never heard of the Freegans until now. Thanks for the enlightenment.
ReplyDelete