Freegan

Feifei Hello again. I’m Feifei and this is The English We Speak, and Rob’s here too…

Rob Yes I am. Hello.And I’m feeling a bit peckish.

Feifei Peckish?

Rob You know, a little bit hungry.

Feifei Well when we’ve finished, you can go down to the canteen and buy yourself a bite to eat.

Rob What?

Feifei A bite to eat - a snack, a sandwich and a packet of crisps maybe. And can you get me something too please?

Rob No I won’t be doing that - not now that I’m a freegan. That means I don’t pay for food - I only eat what’s free.

Feifei Right. So Rob, how do you get it - beg for it, steal it?

Rob Of course not, Feifei. I just eat food that’s been wasted - maybe thrown away by supermarkets or restaurants. You know, I hate to see food being wasted.

Feifei Me too. So a freegan eats food that has been wasted - maybe because it is out of date or too much has been made. Wow, Rob. This sounds like a good idea.

Rob Yes it is. Let’s hear from some other freegans in these examples - which are also free!

Examples I’m trying to do my bit for the environment by reducing food that’s thrown away - so I’m becoming a freegan.

My brother was so annoyed when he saw loads of food dumped in a bin at the back of the supermarket that he decided to collect it and give it to the homeless - I suppose you could call him a freegan.

Thrown away food isn’t rubbish, it’s free food! That’s why I’m a freegan.

Feifei This is The English We Speak from BBC Learning English and today Rob is telling us about being a freegan - that’s someone who only eats food that has been wasted or thrown away.

Rob And Feifei, freegans like me don’t just eat free food, we give it to people who need it more than us.

Feifei Rob, you’ve changed. Why are you being so responsible and charitable?

Rob I’m just a good person - oh and it’s saved it me loads of money.

Feifei Oh I get it. You’re not being a good person - you’re just being tight!

Rob Tight - you mean not generous? Honestly!

Feifei You’re not a freegan - you are a freeloader. Someone who expects things for free without giving anything in return.Come on admit it Rob.

Rob Ermm, I’m just going to the canteen. What was it you wanted? Oh and could you lend me some money to buy something please?

Feifei Bye Rob

Rob Bye.