Food Collection
Much more nutritious food is thrown out than there are people to eat it. This is only a partial list of places to go to get a piece of this action:
* Farmer's Markets. Always fresh, as many farmers discard
what they don't sell that day.
* Health/Natural Food Stores. The most sympathetic source. Bring literature
and tell them about Food Not Bombs. Set up a regular, weekly pick-up.
* The Produce District. In any city, near the port or the train yard or
wherever stuff comes in, there are large numbers of vendors of wholesale
produce usually in the same small area. Look in the yellow pages under
produce of food and find several addresses that are near each other. Wander
around asking for donations or old, post-dated food.
* Other wholesalers, bodegas and small, local food markets. Small donations
make a big difference. Ask about opened bags and samples of grains/legumes.
* Supermarkets and other chain stores.
* Bakeries. Loads of bread is returned to every one of them.
* Farms. We live in cities, but if your group works in a rural area it
might be your best bet. Also, you may know people who have set up a collective,
organic farm nearby.
* The garden. Yours, or your friend's. Ask your neighbor or friend if
you can pick the apples off his/her tree.
Get the store's telephone number and figure out the best contact person. Always be friendly. Use your intuition and good judgement when deciding how much you go into the politics of the group. Make friends with the workers. As always with getting stuff for free, patience, stamina, and persistence are essential.
Once you have established a relationship with a particular supplier it is most important that you be reliable. If no one can pick up the food, when expected, make sure to call and let your contact know you aren't able to come that day. Respect for food workers makes a world of difference. Send a thank you note soon after you start picking up and then maybe once in a while after that.
