Aussie woman who hasn’t paid for groceries in four years: ‘Never eaten better’

Australians scoring thousands of dollars worth of "free" produce are sharing their dumpster diving success stories as the cost of living crisis continues to hit people hard. One woman and former supermarket employee has even claimed she's not paid for groceries for an astonishing four years.

While Aussies continue to cop a battering from the exorbitant price of living, as stubborn inflation remains well above target and rising interest rates continue to sting homeowners — with rental prices also at record highs nationally — some people have been forced to get creative in their bid to make ends meet.

Dumpster diving is no new trend, but it is increasing in prevalence.

Former supermarket worker turned dumpster diver Sahar Khalili said it was her time working in grocery stores that made her realise the enormous amount of waste that's thrown out every day. She says it's been years now since she's paid for groceries.

Aussie woman's quest to save groceries from ending up in landfill

"I had to take all the bread that was already on the shelf, write it off, fill up two trolleys full and wheel it into the bin," Khalili told The Project of her time as a baker.

Disgusted by the waste, she vowed to make a change and joined a dumpster diving community group, adding that the rest is history. Now, the Sydney woman dives two to three times per week, which she says covers all her needs.

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"Once I see it, I feel like I'm responsible to prevent that waste, and it makes me think 'what prevented them... from putting it out the front and giving it away'," she said.

While supermarkets claim food and produce that lands in dumpsters is "not fit for human consumption", Khalili argues the opposite. She said as battling Australians struggle to keep food on the table, more and more people are reaching out to her to learn the ropes.

"People have always been intrigued by dumpster diving, but it's very much still a clandestine activity," she said. "But I guess cost of living has been a motivator lately."

Another dumpster diver, known as Lubosh, said he's "never eaten better" since he took up the practice.

"It sounds ridiculous doesn't it?" he said, describing the finding fully packaged products he's found recently. They include two $16 family sized pies — 1.2 kilograms in weight each — unopened nut loaf, pre-made curry and rice, fresh tomatoes in "good" condition, and even intact skin care.

"It's reasonable value," he said. "[Some of the stuff] won't go off for months. I've got my lunch for the next few days sorted."

How much food does Australia waste each year?

A report from The Australian Institute found the country wastes more than 7.6 million tonnes of food every year — that's enough to fill the Melbourne Cricket Ground a jaw-dropping nine times.

It's costing the Australian economy over $36.6 billion despite 70 per cent of waste perfectly edible.

Around 10 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions come from food produced but wasted. In Australia, this represents 17.5 million tonnes of CO2 each year.

Lubosh has been dumpster diving for a total of five years. He now said he's passing on his skills to his "apprentice". "I have once looked into the bin, and the staff member came out and said 'oh come back in 15 minutes' I have more," Lubosh said. "Staff feel bad."

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