How to Get Free Groceries

Over the years, we have all picked up tips for saving money on groceries but how about how to get FREE groceries? With an investment of time on your part, you can save a bundle of money on your grocery bill by actually getting some of those food items free!

Instructions

1. 

   Apply for WIC (Women Infants and Children) if you have children aged 5 and under. If you are eligible, they will give you a plastic card similar to a bridge card that will enable you to get foods such as baby formula, peanut butter, milk, cheese, cereal and juice.

   It is generally income based but don't let that stop you from applying. I know of someone making decent money in the Army who qualified to receive WIC.

2. 

   Apply for food stamps. I know. I know. Pride may be getting in your way here but if times are tough enough, food stamps will still enable you to feed your family. It's a quick application process. Now days they give you a plastic bridge card to use instead of the paper food stamps so this makes them much easier to use without drawing attention to yourself if that is something that bothers you.

3. 

   When you patronize a restaurant, call them up afterward if you have a complaint or a compliment. I've done this many times with our local McDonald's and each time I'm met with a request for my name and instructions that they have my name in the back and when I'm in the area again, I'm welcome to stop in, give my name and they will give me a free meal. Don't make this so regular that they peg you for someone just taking advantage but certainly call when you have a genuine complaint or compliment to offer. It's not technically free groceries but free food is free food... No guarantees it will work for you but it's worked for me for years.

4. 

   Go through your pantry and locate the items you really love. These products will have an address printed on them. Take the time to write them a letter explaining what you think of their product. Be certain your feedback is something they will find valuable. I used to do this on a monthly basis and regularly received $100's of dollars worth of coupons for FREE groceries. You can't get those kind of grocery coupons online.

   If you have a product you were dissatisfied with, take the time to write them a letter regarding that as well. I once got 24 free Mrs. Grass Soup boxes because I found flour beetles in a seasoning packet of one of them. (likely the store's fault) I included the bugs and the UPC code as well as the receipt from the store where I purchased the product. Be certain you are thorough!

5. 

   Fill out comment cards! I am a comment card junkie. You never know when a store or restaurant will favor your reply and send you a gift certificate which you could use for free groceries. I once received a signed letter of apology along with a $25 gift certificate from the manager of Wal-Mart when I complained of poor customer service and a filthy bathroom. I included the date, time, details and store address.

6. 

   Network with those who work for grocery establishments or food supply chains. My first husband's great aunt worked for Gerber baby food and each time I was pregnant, she sent me coupons for a CASE of FREE baby food! No skin off her chin, they allowed employees to give them out.

7. 

   Grow a garden. There is no more natural way of getting free groceries than growing your own. If you are unable to grow a garden due to physical constraints or lack of property, try growing a few items inside your home. Herbs are popular as are patio tomatoes. Experiment a little. Creating a 'salad in a pot' makes for a fun plant display.

8. 

   Offer to glean farmer's crops for them. More and more farmers are using machinery to pick their harvests for them, particularly in orchards but I've had this work for grapes, strawberries and even pumpkin fields as well. Contacting them well in advance of the harvest (to get ahead of others with the same thought) can result in your getting permission to come pick from what's left. Some farmers won't care what you clean up from there while others will expect a full cleaning in exchange which means you'll need to take the junk food, too. No worries, invest in a pair of pigs and you can grow up your own pork as well or offer it, for a delivery fee, to someone who has pigs.

Tips & Warnings

• Be as thorough as possible.

• Remain professional and non-argumentative.

• Don't forget to try these tactics with dog and cat food as well.

• Don't expect every effort to result in free groceries.