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Attitudes, beliefs, and prevalence of dumpster diving as a means to obtain food by Midwestern, low-income, urban dwellers

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  • Nicole Eikenberry
  • Chery Smith

Abstract

“Dumpster diving” is a term generally used for obtaining items, in this case food for consumption, from dumpsters. This study evaluates the prevalence of dumpster diving in two low-income urban communities in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Additionally, attitudes and beliefs of adults who engage in this behavior are reported. Surveys (n=396) were used to collect data including individual dumpster diving behavior, food security, health, and demographic data. Nearly one-fifth of those surveyed had used dumpster diving as a means to obtain food. Focus groups (n=17) were conducted to further evaluate dumpster divers’ attitudes and beliefs about dumpster diving, use of food assistance programs including benefits and barriers, and other strategies used to obtain food such as stealing. Focus group participants were primarily homeless and most were high school educated. Ways to improve delivery of food assistance are suggested. In conclusion, more research on the use of dumpsters as a source of food is needed. Utilizing more of the 96 billion pounds of food wasted each year in the US through food recovery and donation programs could help to provide socially acceptable means for low-income urban dwellers to obtain food. Copyright Springer 2005

Suggested Citation

  • Nicole Eikenberry & Chery Smith, 2005. "Attitudes, beliefs, and prevalence of dumpster diving as a means to obtain food by Midwestern, low-income, urban dwellers," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 22(2), pages 187-202, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:agrhuv:v:22:y:2005:i:2:p:187-202
    DOI: 10.1007/s10460-004-8278-9
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Deja Hendrickson & Chery Smith & Nicole Eikenberry, 2006. "Fruit and vegetable access in four low-income food deserts communities in Minnesota," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 23(3), pages 371-383, October.
    2. Richards, Rickelle & Smith, Chery, 2007. "Environmental, parental, and personal influences on food choice, access, and overweight status among homeless children," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 65(8), pages 1572-1583, October.
    3. Fabio Gaetano Santeramo & Emilia Lamonaca, 2021. "Food Loss–Food Waste–Food Security: A New Research Agenda," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-7, April.
    4. Taboka, Sekgopa Kealeboga, 2016. "Evaluation Of The Impact Of Backyard Gardens On Household Incomes In Southern District, Botswana," Research Theses 265674, Collaborative Masters Program in Agricultural and Applied Economics.
    5. Chery Smith & Jamie Butterfass & Rickelle Richards, 2010. "Environment influences food access and resulting shopping and dietary behaviors among homeless Minnesotans living in food deserts," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 27(2), pages 141-161, June.
    6. Rombach, Meike & Bitsch, Vera, 2015. "Food Movements in Germany: Slow Food, Food Sharing, and Dumpster Diving," International Food and Agribusiness Management Review, International Food and Agribusiness Management Association, vol. 18(3), pages 1-24, September.

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