Dumpster diving is also always a good solution for saving “waste” produce from its illogical destination. There is a large stigma associated with eating food from the garbage, and it is generally considered a low-life form of subsistence. However, there are at least as many people who dumpster-dive as a lifestyle choice as there are people who do it out of necessity. A great misconception is around the hygene and safety of dumpster diving – often, products found are individually wrapped, sealed, or isolated in containers holding only other produce, and, additionally, new dumpster-diver will quickly learn that expiry dates often have little relation to the product's state of edibility. There are concerns around the legal status of dumpster diving, but so long as the dumpsters are on public property (alleys) and are not locked, this activity is perfectly legal.
Atwater and Jean Talon markets there are always a lot of fruits and vegetables being thrown away, and it is easy to collect them as the markets close for the day. Bell peppers and tomatos always in surplus.
Most bakeries put bags of day-old loaves and buns in the dumpsters behind their stores around closing each day to make room for the following day’s fresh batch, which makes bread products very easy to acquire.
Intermarché or Metro chain grocery storedumpsters are generally dirtier than garbage bins at farmers markets or bakeries due to the occasional presence of meat, but can be rewarding: these are more or less the only places where you can regularly find dairy products, canned goods, and instant or prepared meals.
Pharmaprix dumpsters tend to have a strange selection of products, but are relatively reliable for finding things like juice, chocolate bars, and chips. On a sidenote, there are often health products such as multivitamins or protein shakes, as well as accessories (eg. hair clippers, umbrellas) to find.
Atwater and Jean Talon markets there are always a lot of fruits and vegetables being thrown away, and it is easy to collect them as the markets close for the day. Bell peppers and tomatos always in surplus.
Most bakeries put bags of day-old loaves and buns in the dumpsters behind their stores around closing each day to make room for the following day’s fresh batch, which makes bread products very easy to acquire.
Intermarché or Metro chain grocery storedumpsters are generally dirtier than garbage bins at farmers markets or bakeries due to the occasional presence of meat, but can be rewarding: these are more or less the only places where you can regularly find dairy products, canned goods, and instant or prepared meals.
Pharmaprix dumpsters tend to have a strange selection of products, but are relatively reliable for finding things like juice, chocolate bars, and chips. On a sidenote, there are often health products such as multivitamins or protein shakes, as well as accessories (eg. hair clippers, umbrellas) to find.
