If you are in a desperate situation with your food budget, there is hope. Here are some ideas that you can use to get free food.
Barter your services for food. Rather than work for money, work for food. Someone who may be reluctant to hire you for money might be happy to feed you instead. Babysit, cut hair, mow a lawn, change someone’s oil, tutor a child, help with a resume, clean a house, mend some clothes, pick up someone from the airport, do laundry, etc., all in exchange for home cooked meals or groceries. I have a pantry and a freezer full of stuff I would gladly trade for some handyman work.
Ask for grocery cast offs. Grocery stores throw away a ton of food each day. Ask the store manager if you can have any of this food. He or she just may give it to you for free. Some of the items that can usually be had are over ripe bananas (great for banana bread and smoothies), lettuce with only the outer leaves wilted or bruised, crushed or dented packages and discontinued items.
Glean and forage off of the land
There are many edible foods that either grow in the wild or are left behind by farmers. You can take advantage of this for some free food. We have wild strawberries in our own backyard. Out in the wild, it is important to be safe, so first take a foraging or wild food course. Many are given free by foraging societies, agricultural extensions and nature preservation societies. For harvest leavings, talk to local farmers. Modern harvesting equipment can leave a lot of food behind, and most farmers won’t mind if you ask if you can go in by hand and glean whatever is left. Also check with pick-your-own farms at the end of the season.
Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, technology in the Computing Blog, and creating a home in the Home Blog. Starting June 1st, don’t miss her articles in the Baby Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here.
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