Beat the High Cost of Food: Get it Free

As one of the expenses we have the most control over, food is often the subject of any frugal conversation. Talking about how to save on buying food, cooking it, storing it and a lot more, can keep us busy for hours, but there's one thing that's very frugal that we tend to overlook: Get it for free.

That's the best price, isn't it? Just about anyone can get at least part of their food free, it doesn't matter what the circumstances. It's ok to get it for free even if you make a six figure income, but every time I hear of a soup line or food pantry, I wonder how many know that there are additional sources for good food.

Of course, taking transportation into account, it may be more difficult for some, but even at that, there are things you can do to fill in your menu at a very minimal cost - or absolutely free.

Almost anyone can get at least some food for free if you know how to go about doing it.

Here is how you do it:

Barter. Trade something you can do for something you can eat. This can mean anything from babysitting with a meal thrown in, to trading a small repair for a dozen eggs or a package of hot dogs. Mow a lawn, wash windows, take someone who doesn't drive to the store. Just ask; you'd be surprised at how many people are open to trading or giving you food in exchange for a service.

Eat the demos. Go to the grocery store and take advantage of free food demonstrations, where they give samples. Some stores have certain days on which they have several demonstrations at one time. Try them all, from meat products down to the bite sized desserts. You might find something you really like and satisfy your hunger, too!

Study wild foods. Many vegetable "weeds" can be had free just for the picking. Go to the library and get a good book or two on edible weeds in your area. Caution: Don't go "whole hog" as some wild foods are very high in certain minerals, vitamins and/or fiber. If your system is not conditioned to these, you may experience uncomfortable results. Add a little wild food a time in your diet. It really is good for you. ALso, be SURE you know what you're picking, as there are a few plants that could make you sick - or even kill you.

Glean. If you're anywhere near farm fields, wait until the harvest is just over, then ask if you can go into the fields and pick up whatever is still there. (Don't wait too late or the fields will be plowed under.) Not all farmers will allow you to glean, but some will. You can bring home a free bonanza for just a few minutes gleaning, as modern harvesting equipment wastes a tremendous amount of food. Obviously, this is easier for larger vegetables like onions, potatoes, carrots and cabbage, but if you have the patience, you can also glean beans and grains. (If you do this, be prepared to process and store these foods.)

Check out online freebies. Companies do give away samples and even coupons for full size products in the hopes that you will like them well enough to buy them. Often, all you have to do is give them your name and address, but sometimes you'll need to fill in a short survey or give other information. If you work at this, you'll be surprised at how many free food samples and coupons begin to show up in your mail.

Get in on the good throwaways. My brother-in-law used to raise pigs and we raised chickens, so we went to a local grocery store to see if we could get their fresh vegetable trimmings. We would pick up box after box of "trimmings" each week. And we would sort through them and be amazed at what the store threw out. Good food. Ripe watermelon, ripening bananas, whole clusters of grapes where a few had turned bad. Potatoes from broken bags, lettuce that only needed a few more leaves trimmed... our chickens ate very well, but so did we!

Put out the word. Don't be shy about letting people know that you would accept an overflow from their gardens or other sources. Make it political if you need to: You don't like eating chemicals but can't afford organic, or you don't agree with the local grocers treatment of their employees... whatever suits you. Or say that you'd really like to try canning (dehydrating, freezing) but don't think grocery store fare is worth the trouble. Those who are proud of their gardens will no doubt give you at least some samples!