This is an auction, but here there are no collection stamps or antiques. You’ll find groceries and food. Ham steak, for example at $2 a pack, instead of $7 in the stores.

Kirk Williams, an auctioneer, has set up his boxes today in the firehouse of Bloomsberg, Pennsylvania. A specialist in antiques and collectibles, he started to do food auctions in February, when he noticed that the economic crisis had created a new demand. "Because of our economy, it became very, very popular," says Williams. "This has started to spring up all over the country now since we started it a couple of month ago."

Kirk devotes most of his business now to grocery auctions and he already has loyal clients, like Michele Kuhar, who says she "probably saved 70 to 80 dollars off of at least two weeks worth of groceries". She can use the savings: Michele’s husband lost his job in January.

Kirk’s secret is to sell food that can’t be sold in stores.

Kirk’s business partner, Roger Laugle, buys the merchandise too close to the sell-by date to be sold in stores. But he swears that all the items sold here are "quality products that he would give to [his] kids."

Clients don’t seem to worry about food safety. It’s all about the economy, and the fun too. "It’s a lot of fun," says one couple. "It’s much more fun than going to the store."

Kirk makes more money here than on a regular auction. And, of course, he does not guarantee that his clients will buy only what they really need.