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By the author of the FREE online course Growing Self-Sufficiency: The Whole Picture
It’s all in the news these days that people are facing a squeeze when it comes to buying food. In our area, one example says it all: butter has almost doubled in price in the past couple of years. Yes, almost doubled! Extend that out to all other items, and you get the picture: where is all of this extra money supposed to come from to buy food to eat?
In support of Frugalites everywhere, I thought I would put my thinking cap on and focus on places where I have found free food in the past or places that I am aware of could have it. This article is the second part of a two-part series on tips to help you find free food when needed.
Now, remember what they say about that free lunch? Well, the same could probably be said about free food in general. So, remember, dear Frugalite, that many of these ideas will require either some time or elbow grease to reap the benefits. If you have some suggestions from your own neck of the woods, please add them at the end of the article in the comments!
Farmers’ Markets
If you live in an area with a farmer’s market, it pays to go out and see who has a booth there. Does anyone seem short-staffed? Have a chat with them. Could they use some help setting up or breaking down the booth for some of their produce? You could also ask if there are any opportunities to glean fields. If you don’t have a car, perhaps you have an interested friend who could drive you there.
Certainly, at the end of the market day, there are some great deals to be had, as the farmers don’t want to take this produce home. I once got an apprenticeship and a bunch of free honey just by chatting with a beekeeper at a totally urban farmer’s market. I did not own a car at the time, and he was willing to pick me up at a subway station to take me to his sites and assist him. During harvest time, many small-scale beekeepers are in a similar situation. It never hurts to ask!
Community Health Center
Here in our province, community health centers are designed to help vulnerable populations of people with health and other challenges, such as accessing fresh food. Our own community health center has a community garden (more below on this!), group cooking classes where you get to keep what you make, and people in need can access some gift cards to buy food. In addition, there is a “bring one, take one” style food bank in the lobby and a free clothing service in the building.
Community Gardens
Using a bit of elbow grease, you can get a lot of free food this way. Even if you can’t afford the plot fee, you may be able to freelance and help other gardeners in exchange for some produce. If you like zucchini this time of year, you need never go hungry! If you are skeptical of that claim, check out my article on “All Day” zucchini eating here. Many gardens will waive the user fees for people in need. Don’t be afraid to check out what’s possible, even later in the season.
Bartering
I saw an ad online for some good-looking garlic for a great price. When I replied, the farmer asked me if I was willing to trade for some of my famous chocolate chip cookies. It turns out he had seen on social media that I used to sell them. We have arranged a trade: one head of garlic for one cookie, a straight-up trade. As I don’t mind baking, this is a great deal for me. Organic garlic often goes for $3 or $4 a head around here. I will also get some to share with our community garden members. 24 cookies for 24 heads of garlic. The price is less than $1 per head, a fraction of what you would pay anywhere else, and the quality is much higher.
Social Media
Before I sat down to write this article, I scanned my social media feed in the market area. I saw a few offers of free food. Many folks will do this during the harvest season: free berries, free zucchini, etc. If you’re willing to go pick, you can get some good food. If they do charge, the cost is a fraction of what it would cost you at the grocery store.
Foraging
I am able to safely identify and eat a number of plants on my half acre. The first step to safe foraging is to own a reliable plant identification guide. I own two. I found that using these guides was a learning curve and challenging at times. It is also best to have a mentor to go out with and practice with. In times of need, I know several plants that I could go out and identify for food. These also supplement what I grow for myself in my garden. That is a great feeling!
Your Own Fridge
“Wait a second!” you might be saying. “I paid for that food; it’s not free!” However, what I’m asking you to do is take a second look. In our community garden project, one of our goals is to encourage everyone to do just that: take a second look at what you’re throwing out or composting. Traditionally, many edible parts of plants may not be used. Last night, for example, I sautéed large kale stems that would not be pleasant to eat raw in large chunks. However, thinly sliced like celery, they were delicious.
This also works raw in slaws and salads. I also eat carrot tops, beet greens, and stems in the same way. Last night, I threw the last of a “surprise” giant zucchini into my sauté. While it was a bit seedy, I just cut out that part and chopped up the rest. Waste not, want not!
Free Food Can Help Pay the Rent
During these difficult times, getting some free food can be a relief. Could you see yourself trying any of the tips offered here to access free food? Do you have one you can share with us? Please tell us in the comments below.
About Colette
Colette is passionate about sharing her knowledge of thrifty living and self-sufficiency. She has developed her skills in self-reliance living in the suburbs, the city, and more recently, on her own Half-Acre Homestead. Colette lived five years completely off-grid and without running water in an eight by 24 foot tiny home while designing and building her own 18 by 24-foot eco-cabin. Her website, Half Acre Homestead is attracting followers from around the world who want to become more self-sufficient. Colette invites you to stop by the Homestead and check out all of the great resources including the practical How To Guides, A Tiny Home Resource Center and her organic gardening stories on her blog. She shares her wholistic model (body/mind/spirit) for achieving self-sufficiency in her Free Course, “Growing Self-Sufficiency: The Whole Picture.” Stop by the Homestead today to register free of charge!
1 thought on “7 More Places to Find Free Food”
A lot of people plant apple and pear trees and just let the fruit drop. They pay a lawn service to clean up the mess or let birds eat it. Ask if you can pick the fruit as it ripens. You might offer to pick it “on shares”. Sometimes you get fruit. Sometimes they tell you “no” but it is worth trying. I got several pounds of nuts by asking if they would like me to pick up the fallen ones. They didn’t want to be bothered by either picking or shelling. I shelled while watching TV.