Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

Food

Freegans Start Food Co-op In Brooklyn


By

Jaya Saxena

Published Aug 29, 2010

Modified Aug 29, 2010


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .

Dinner is served.

 

Flickr user street stars


By

Jaya Saxena

Published Aug 29, 2010

Modified Aug 29, 2010


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

Times Trend alert! This week, the Times put on their work shoes and got cozy with some dumpster divers in Greenpoint. But unlike other "freegans," these folks seem pretty organized. They call themselves Grub, and they dumpster dive to supply a bi-weekly "cheap, simple dinner for friends and co-conspirators."

The divers managed to find foodstuffs ranging from organic juice to kale and blackberries. Eric Levinson, a yoga instructor, said of the gathering, “It’s a way to feed a lot of people for free. And it’s a way to raise awareness of the way food is wasted." However, since they don't actually need to scavenge to survive, the group of artists can afford to be picky. Most of their food is bagged inside supermarkets, and never comes into contact with other garbage. But Grub member Jeff Stark said it isn't about the food, it's about the community. "Grub provided a recurring space to come back and check in with an extended community. You could find a place to stay, a bike to ride, a show to play, all in one shot." He also made a documentary about the gathering, which you can watch below while you count the days until somebody opens a scavenged-menu restaurant in Brooklyn:

Tagged

dumpster diving

food

freeganism

grub


Jaya Saxena

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE food

Where are the cheapest drinks in NYC? A new report details the city's average prices.

The median price of a cocktail in the city is now $16, and $9 for a draft beer.

By

Hannah Frishberg

Published Oct 19, 2026


North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.

Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.

By

Robert Sietsema

Food

North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.

Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.

By

Robert Sietsema


10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City

By

Robert Sietsema

Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.

By

Sonia Rao

5 NYC banana puddings as good as Magnolia's

By

Hannah Frishberg


Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .