Food from Skips......

walter-sausage

Where does one stand legally on getting food out of skips - ie. from supermarket skips where they've thrown stuff away cos out of date etc? I know it could be illegal but would supermarkets and shops not get anywhere with a court case or whatever as they'd be told off for wasting food? Or something? (thats hubbys stance on it anyway!) Thinking of doing this as I know people do it and find decent stuff wrapped up, plus tins and so on.

Yeah I know it's disgusting to most but I also know it's done and we in a situation where we are struggling so much we have virtually no food budget at the moment :mad: !!!

Anyhooo awaiting constructive replies thanks. And suggestions for free food elsewhere ??? Thanks

GemmieWho

There's a big thread about it here: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2048717

ladylouise62

For later in the season - quite a few people have fruit trees in their garden that they don't pick or that produce too much. Try knocking on peoples doors (and maybe making a friend at the same time), or even try asking on Freecycle/Freegle - I've picked some fruit from gardens via this before. Don't forget areas where brambles are for blackberries.

forever.insane

The main thing is, if it's on their property, its trespassing so do it at night

My local ASDA has theirs in a walled off area with barbed wire and co-op lock theirs in a garage, I assume. At least, I couldn't see it anywhere.

roh999

Wear a balaclava and gloves m8 and fill the trolley and run as fast as ure legs will take ya.:D

sunshinesunshine

Hi There,
There is a few things i have done in a similar situation to yourself OP. As far as i am aware, it is illegal to get things out of skips of supermarkets (not that it stops a lot of people! ) but desperate times n all that... plus its in tins, and packaged up... so why not....!... Just be extra carefull.
What i used to do though, was if you have a 24hr supermarket near you,... go into there and wai and watch when the sales stall reduce the chilled/fresh items... it is usually about 7pm, 8pm etc, and they keep getting cheaper if the sell by date is the next day and they need to get rid of it... Asda i found was the best for this.. i think i get a ready cooked chicken, roast potatoes and some stuffing, all for about 50p.... fed a family of 4 anyway!.. just add a cheap tin of peas and voila!!.. but there is usually loooads of things tha have been reduced at that sort of time, so would be good for a low budget.... especially if you can freeze it...doesnt matter too much about the date then.. gives you an extra couple of months.
also, there is another post in 'Grabbit' where it gives you a full list of 1p items available in Tescos... i have tried it yet, but worth a looksy?

Hope this helps..im new to this site... but so far, after having a good look around all the forums, have found some great tips!!! xx

roy_harper

The latest prosecution isn't for trespass, as the previous thread suggests, but for taking by finding.

Our churches locally donate to Salvation Army and if you are stuck you'll be given help.

I think the television is irresponsible showing the freegans helping themselves without stating this is illegal.

Reverbe

TBH the Govt want us all to cut down on stuff we send to landfill and then the supermarkets throw food out instead of reducing it to a decent price level. Our Tescos RTC shelves are filled with items STILL cost several pounds.. it disgusts me

popadom

Im not sure if its true but i was told by a friend supermarkets used to give to shelters ect but one day one of the people got food posioning so they sued and won. So they dont want it to happen again-thus by making it trespassing if you sue your in the wrong.

roh999

i know plenty of people who are from low income familys ect me being one of them,but i do not know anyone that needs to rummage in skips for food,do you not think your going a bit over the top op,surely things aint that bad!if you owe money seek help,before you pay anyone anything you should make sure there is food for the family,not go rummaging through tescos dented tins in the skips...jeeeezzz get ure prioritys right!if you did it and got caught you could go to court and get fined wich would make your problems worse would it not.

ThePhoenix

I believe that there are several 'laws' that are concerned here. Firstly, there's trespass as you'll be trespassing around the back of the store where the bins are. Theft as the contents are either the property of the store, or the property of the company who take the rubbish away. It could even be the council property if the council are the ones who take the rubbish from there. You could also be trespassing on the rubbish collectors property if you or any part of you are in the bin too. I read in the paper a while ago about someone being prosecuted in Essex for removing spoilt food from the front of a shop that was waiting collection for disposal.

Moral of the story is 'be very careful'.