Apparently Dumpster Diving for Groceries Is A Thing, And This Australian Lady Has Been Doing It For Years

In a world where food waste remains a pressing issue, one woman has discovered an unconventional yet effective solution—dumpster diving. 

Sofie Juel-Andersen has turned what many would consider an unappealing practice into a lifestyle that allows her to obtain all her groceries for free, saving thousands of dollars in the process.

Her journey began in Sydney, Australia, where she started by collecting fresh produce from designated bins. What started as a curiosity quickly became a way of life when she realized just how much perfectly good food was being discarded.

“My sister sent me a photo of some hidden treasures she’d found dumpster diving. I knew about it, but I’d never seen it as an option to put food on the table.”

Motivated by her sister’s discovery, Sofie decided to investigate supermarket dumpsters with a friend. The experience was eye-opening. They found an abundance of vegetables and other food items that were still fresh and edible. Although she had never struggled to afford groceries, she saw the potential of this cost-saving approach.

“It was always supermarket dumpsters,” she explained. “Never in the back of restaurants or private homes (because depending on where you live, it could actually be illegal to do that).”

The sheer volume of food available shocked her.

“What I found was insane. It was filled with food—some of it had expired, but a lot hadn’t.”

She likened it to a treasure hunt, where the prize was an ample supply of perfectly good food that would have otherwise gone to waste.

“It was like a treasure hunt for me. I quickly realized that there was so much good food in the dumpsters, I didn’t need to go shopping anymore.”

Supermarket dumpsters, she discovered, were often filled with packaged food, whole chickens, frozen pizzas, and beverages. In one instance, she found 300 cans of Diet Coke still in their original boxes and an entire case of kombucha, discarded simply because one bottle had been damaged.

“There would literally be two dumpsters in the back of a supermarket filled with packaged food, like whole chickens, frozen pizzas, and drinks. We once found 300 cans of Diet Coke still in their boxes and saw an entire box of kombucha bottles which had been thrown out because one of them was damaged,” she said.

“Mainly, though, it’s usually food which expired one or two days ago.”

When Sofie returned to Denmark in 2022, she continued her dumpster diving practice. Over the last four years, she has relied almost entirely on discarded supermarket food, purchasing only essential household items like toilet paper, dish soap, and toothpaste. Her total supermarket spending for the previous year amounted to just $100.

By avoiding grocery store expenses, Sofie has been able to save thousands of dollars annually, which she redirects toward her passion for traveling.

“The money I have saved allows me the freedom to travel. I spent a lot of my money on visiting friends around the world,” the restaurant manager told SWNS news.

Thanks to her savings, she has explored destinations including Kenya, Argentina, Italy, Spain, and Dubai.

“It allows me the freedom to work less, too. I only work three days-a-week. Dumpster diving allows me the freedom to spend more on the things I love.”

Not only has Sofie embraced this lifestyle herself, but she has also introduced it to her family. Her parents, siblings, cousins, and even grandparents have joined her in dumpster diving, making it a family affair—even during vacations.

“My friends and colleagues in Sydney thought it was super gross and just didn’t understand, but when I showed them the photos and videos from my Instagram, they were blown away. They said it was just like food they’d buy at the supermarket!”

She visits her favorite dumpsters a few times per week or every two weeks, depending on how much she finds. With such consistent discoveries, she never worries about running out of food.

“My fridge is always full.”

What began as a means of saving money has now become Sofie’s personal mission. She views dumpster diving as a form of everyday activism, aiming to raise awareness about food waste and change perceptions regarding food that may be past its expiration date or slightly imperfect.

“I want to create awareness about food waste, but also about how we view food and how it can still be good even though the date has expired or the vegetable has a bump on it.”

For those interested in trying dumpster diving for the first time, Sofie offers several key tips:

1. In the beginning, it might be nice to take a friend with you.
2. Check the law first to see if dumpster diving is illegal in your area.
3. You may not always strike gold the first time—but keep going.
4. Always bring wet wipes and sanitizer to keep yourself clean.
5. Be kind and respectful to employees who may ask you to leave.
6. If you find a big stash of the same item, share it—you never know who really needs it.

As more people become aware of the food waste crisis, Sofie’s experience serves as a testament to the possibilities that exist when individuals take action. Whether through dumpster diving or simply being more mindful of food consumption, her story encourages a shift in how we view and value the resources available to us.

See more about this interesting story in the video below:

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