Family should be informed if food from trash is used

I have an issue with my father and don’t know where to turn.

Dad is in his early 80s and — except for poor eyesight — he is in good health. I’m concerned, though, because he has developed an unusual habit: He likes to search through the trash bins behind the grocery store we patronize.

Initially, he told me that he was looking for old produce for compost in his garden. But I have learned that he eats some of the things he finds. I have tried warning him of the risks, but he refuses to listen, insisting that he’s doing is safe.

The situation has become critical because he is planning to cook something he found in the trash for a family gathering.

I told him not to do it. If he does, I told him, he must let the others know so they can make an informed decision whether or not to eat it.

If you can’t persuade your father to disclose to relatives that the food he’s serving came from a trash bin, you should alert them to that possibility.

Have you heard of the worldwide trend known as “freeganism”? (The term is derived from a cross between “free” and “vegan.”)

Freegans “rescue” food from market trash bins to share among themselves to combat food waste.

Caveat emptor: People who consume such food should be aware that the food might be past its peak, and, if the food wasn’t properly stored, they might be risking a food-borne illness.

My 9-yearold daughter has several friends who are good buddies. But the rules in their homes differ from those at ours. One friend in particular, “Sarah,” eats a lot of junk food and watches more television than we allow. When my daughter asks why she can’t have chips after school, or why we watch movies only on weekends, I remind her that good food makes her healthy, and with less television she does better in school.

I’m not interested in critiquing Sarah, but I do want to make the connection between unhealthy lifestyle choices and their consequences.

I have been saying things such as, “Everyone makes his or her own decisions. This is why we do it this way,” but my daughter sees things as pretty black or white.

Is there a better approach?

— Grossed Out Dear Grossed Out: — Lifestyle Choices in South Dakota Dear Lifestyle Choices:

Don’t attempt to debate this with your 9-yearold. If your daughter argues with you about your parenting style, tell her that different families have different standards and that you are doing what you think is right for yours. Period.