Free veggies for my chickens!!!

[pdirt]

I asked several local grocery stores last summer for expired produce but they wouldn't give it away for fear of people eating it and getting sick, didn't want to get sued. I tried to assure the produce manager it was for chickens but he said they just couldn't do it.

I just watch for stuff on clearance in the produce section now, just bought them some heads of lettuce for a quarter each.

I wonder if a group of folks (local BYC'rs or homestead farmers or even big farmers) got together and formed an organization to set up a contract with the local grocery stores to deal with all their expired produce if they would go for it. Of course, the hassle of organizing folks like that, but perhaps a more formal agreement (with non-sue clauses) would set more stores at ease.

 

[chixmaidservice]

I was wondering nearly the same thing... if you approached the grocery stores as a composting operation (yes, it will be compost as soon as it runs through my nutrient leaching poultry team), and offered a performance contract and gave them a fancy storage receptacle...

 

[moragachick]

I live near a Whole foods, and they have bins behind their store just for produce. I have spoken with them and they love it when it goes to feeding local animals. I fill five to six buckets about three times a week. My chickens eat organic lettuce, and other greens I have never dreamed of eating.( and could never afford to buy at whole foods) Check in your area. I know Lunardi's gives away their old produce too!!