Looking for produce for pig feed

[cougkilr]

We are getting two pigs this weekend and I am trying to find somewhere near by that I could get some out dated produce from for pig feed. Growing up we had pigs and we always got old produce from the Orting Food Center but I am striking out everywhere I have contacted so far. We'll be feeding grain but some supplemental vegetables would be nice as well. Does anyone know of any stores that will give away their produce that they are throwing out within a reasonable distance from Graham?
Also any tips on raising pigs would be greatly appreciated.

[Bullkllr]

I routinely see a guy picking up old produce at the Graham Safeway. He brings it right out the front door and loads it up into barrels in an ancient hatchback. I don't know if he takes it all, but it could be worth a shot.

[cougkilr]

When I called and talked to them they said someone already gets the produce, must be that guy. I may stop in and ask though, maybe there enough to go around. Many of the larger stores I have called have composters that the produce goes directly into at the stores.

[Chase2008]

Check with the local food banks as they may have extra

[nwwanderer]

Be very careful until the pigs are 100# plus, produce will cost way more in lost gains and health issues than it is worth.  They grow fast and need the nutrition especially when small.  Save some on feed after they are 100# or more.  Grain alone will not get the job done either, low quantity and quality of protein, way off on mineral/vitamin requirements and needs to be processed for proper utiization.

[jackmaster]

Go to any bread place, Franz on 112 th towards PAC Ave, get on their hog food list, I get a truckload for 25 bucks, best pig food you can find and it produces the best damn pork you will ever throw a lip on !!!

[garrett89]

Mom and pop stores and believe it or not 7-11. 7-11 has to either throw away or donate food daily.

[Sandberm]

Go to any bread place, Franz on 112 th towards PAC Ave, get on their hog food list, I get a truckload for 25 bucks, best pig food you can find and it produces the best damn pork you will ever throw a lip on !!!

Reminds me of this. We used to rent a bit of ground to grow hay on that the landowner had a house and animal shed on that he would rent out to someone else. The family that rented the house had hogs and they fed the hogs loafs of bread. And why he did this baffled me and it happened a couple of times but....he always took the empty loaf sacks and threw them in a large round UNCOVERED water trough. It was his garbage can for these plastic bags. Well every time the wind blew it scattered these plastic bags everywhere out in our field.

I gathered them all up one morning and stuck them under the wiper on his truck. He seemed to get the idea that trash blowing all over the place was unacceptable after that.

[Bullkllr]

Tons of apples drop and go to waste in the summer and fall; would that make good hog feed?

[cougkilr]

Thanks everyone for the information, we got the pigs today. Pigs will be gone before apples are on or that would be awesome.

[treeclimber2852]

I second the foodbank option.  I volunteer at the one in Sumner and there's a pig guy that comes every week with his truck...he doesn't even get half of what's available- bread and produce.  The foodbank will likely be very happy...and if you show up on a Saturday as they're stocking, chances are they'll send you home with a case or ten of soda. 

[cougkilr]

PM sent @treeclimber

[addicted1]

Safeway distribution center in auburn. It's handles all the returns from the store. They currently have an excess of produce they are eager to dispose of. Contact them for feed options

[W_Ellison2011]

We always hit up the franz stores. I want to say last time I was in one they had what they consider "day old" bread, donuts, bagels, etc in big shopping carts for like $5-$10 for the whole cart. More than once those donuts have gone in the freezer and been consumed for our good luck hunting breakfast come September. Everything else goes to the pigs on top of the grain we give them plus anything else we don't use. Egg shells, cantaloupe skin, etc. We always finish for the last 3-4 weeks feeding them wet cob. We have found that it thins the fat a bit and gives the meat a sweeter flavor. Day of slaughter, if we its time to pop them and we have it available which we usually do, we will toss a big bucket of any home made wine that we didn't like how it turned out. Drunk pigs don't care if you pop their brother in the forehead.

[Blacktail Sniper]

Gonna take a wild shot in the dark and say, them porkers is long dead...

[Boss .300 winmag]

I feed brewers mash to a steer once, great gain at 27% protein levels. Almost to much marbling to the meat, plus was was feeding cracked corn , and wet cob.

Pig info: http://livestocktrail.illinois.edu/porknet/questionDisplay.cfm?ContentID=5557

[Shrimper]

My experience with grocery stores and expired produce is the stores are hesitant to give out their expired produce to the average person.  The stores want someone that can get the produce on a long term regular basis that is reliable.  They generally do not want to throw the produce out but most do because it’s a hassle of dealing with flakey people and that is usually why they say they don't have any to give out.

As others have said visit your local Franz bakery outlet.  Ten bucks for a cart of old bread is a smoking deal in my opinion, a cart for me is usually about 40 loaves.  I have an old fridge I keep the bread in and its lasts longer that way.

[Shrimper]

Thanks everyone for the information, we got the pigs today. Pigs will be gone before apples are on or that would be awesome.

Got any pics of your pigs?

[Blacktail Sniper]

Thanks everyone for the information, we got the pigs today. Pigs will be gone before apples are on or that would be awesome.

Got any pics of your pigs?

Just say'in again, betting them pigs are long gone!!!

[Blacktail Sniper]

 

[Shrimper]

Hey! He may still have pics  ....   

Old thread but a lot of good info here....

[addicted1]

 It might be an old topic, but was still on the first page of the thread.

[W_Ellison2011]

Gonna take a long shot in the dark that any info given on the thread from peoples experiences could be of help for people in the future... plus I mean who doesn't want to keep raising bacon seeds every year and try different things they find out to perfect the flavor and size of their pigs!