Tim Cosentino, the Campus Kitchen Coordinator from CKSLU, shares some thoughts with us on Food Recovery.

As I’m sure most people are aware of Campus Kitchen uses almost exclusively recovered food. In other words food that was destined for the garbage can but was rescued or recovered by CKP kitchens. It is a fantastic way to get food and one of the things that I most love about CKP. Anyone who has been around recovered food for any length of time soon realizes that sometimes food is recovered that should have never been saved and despite our best efforts the food is lost while waiting to be used.

We all know the common problem foods. The package of really expensive soft cheese is often marred by equally soft mold. The tray of food that was forgotten in the corner of the cooler and is now long gone. Cartons of milk received on the expiration date and the bread, oh so much bread. All of these foods unfortunately inevitable find their way to that great Dumpster behind the building. It might be a metaphorical stretch but you could consider CKP to be a food hospital striving to rescue food. And if you are willing to indulge me on this metaphorical jaunt then stay with me for the next stop. If CKP is saving food before it reaches the great Dumpster behind the building then those that pull food out of the great Dumpster behind the building are nothing short of food miracle workers.

Dumpster diving: the miraculous saving of food that was once thought dead.
Dumpster divers: miracle workers saving societies cast away food from death.

Not the common understanding of the practice of Dumpster diving, but something that is interesting enough to give some food for thought (safely pulled from the Dumpster of our mind). The reality though is that people survive from pulling food out of Dumpsters. Real people that CKP never reaches that are struggling to survive find a way on our trash. It is only one step away from recovered food, and the food that is miraculously rescued is eternally gratefully until it is then eaten. So in honor of those that shop at Dempster’s market I refer you on to the article “On Dumpster Diving” by Lars Eighner.

http://www1.broward.edu/~nplakcy/docs/dumpster_diving.htm

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