7 Sources for Free or Affordable Groceries

According to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, consumers are responsible for nearly 40 percent of food waste in the United States. This waste has a significant negative impact on both our environment and the financial situation of average households. Fortunately, by making a few adjustments to our grocery shopping habits, we can help reduce this waste and still enjoy delicious, nutritious food that may even be gourmet.

Moreover, why just contribute to environmental sustainability when you can also save yourself several hundred dollars annually on meals? Here are some excellent options for purchasing salvaged groceries.

1. Salvage Grocery Stores

Known as discount grocery stores or grocery outlets, salvage grocery stores offer items that other retailers are unable to sell. This can include dented packaging, food nearing its expiry date, excess inventory, and seasonal products that are out of season.

Typically, salvage stores provide discounts of up to 50 percent on brand-name products, and in some instances, even higher discounts based on the item’s condition. My local salvage grocery outlet even allows the use of coupons for additional savings. If you are new to this kind of shopping, it’s advisable to consult with the store staff to find out how to maximize your savings.

While some of my neighbors exclusively shop at the salvage store, a challenge is the ever-changing inventory, which can vary day by day. Speaking with staff can help you keep track of delivery times, enabling you to secure the freshest produce or unique snacks.

Salvage grocery stores obtain their products from grocery reclamation centers, both of which are regulated and inspected just like standard grocery stores, assuring that the food purchased is safe for consumption. (For more tips, see: 10 Affordable Alternatives to the Grocery Store)

2. Discount Racks

Many traditional grocery stores have a markdown section featuring items ranging from nearly expired milk to brand-new product closeouts. Typically placed toward the back of the store, this section can expand significantly after holidays. Personally, I always stock up on a plethora of Easter candy right after the holiday. No one needs to know that the dark chocolate bits in my cookies are actually cut-up chocolate bunnies or eggs. The markdowns at national chain stores usually run between 30 to 50 percent off the regular prices.

3. Imperfect Produce

Imperfect Produce is a farm box delivery service that brings a variety of imperfect fruits and vegetables right to subscribers’ doorsteps. What qualifies as imperfect produce? This can be anything from oddly shaped cucumbers to oversized or undersized avocados—essentially produce that doesn’t meet typical supermarket aesthetics. The cost can be 30-50 percent lower than grocery store prices. Unique to this service is the ability for subscribers to customize their boxes, ensuring they receive only the fruits and vegetables they enjoy.

4. Farmers Markets

Transporting goods from farms to markets requires time, money, and energy, and afterward, farmers face additional costs if they have unsold produce to either haul back or dispose of. To score the best bargains, try to visit farmers markets towards the end of the day; sellers prefer to sell at a loss rather than take their unsold items back home.

As a frequent market-goer, I often receive free produce from various farm stands. Instead of discarding items that are unsellable due to bruising, farmers commonly offer these to me to create jams, pickles, and salads. (For additional insights, see: Buy This — Not That — at the Farmers Market)

5. Farms

If you live nearby rural areas, consider connecting directly with local farms. Employees often receive produce as employment benefits, which is why I dedicate four hours each week as a beekeeper on a local farm.

During last year’s avocado shortage, I enjoyed around $350 worth of avocados that had fallen due to windstorms. Additionally, I gathered hundreds of pounds of “squirrel-kissed” plums, which I then transformed into jam. This month, I’ve been indulging in tiny lettuces and baby carrots that were deemed too small for the farmers market.

Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF-USA) offers listings of organic farms across the globe that provide food and accommodation in exchange for work.

6. Refrigerator Management

On average, an American family discards over $1,500 worth of food annually. Imagine the possibilities with an extra $1,500, tax-free, each year!

There are various strategies to manage your food resources effectively and save money. Even if you dislike meal planning or prepping, you can make the most of leftovers by utilizing an ingredient calculator to discover recipes that make the best use of what you have on hand. Alternatively, you could simply commit to having last night’s leftovers for lunch. For the adventurous, try creating a Thursday Night Soup.

To remind my husband to pack leftovers for work, I place items nearing their “eat by” dates on the top shelf of our fridge, clearly labeled “Eat Me First.” This simple technique has significantly reduced our household food waste. (For more suggestions, see: 11 Ways to Transform Leftover Sweet Potatoes and Other Starchy Foods Into Something Unique)

7. Dumpster Diving

Dumpster diving has evolved into a modern form of recycling. In fact, it’s a well-known practice among TED Talk enthusiasts, educators, and activists who have learned to enjoy gourmet food on a shoestring budget. (To get started, see: Dumpster-Diving 101: 6 Strategies for Success)

This practice is often less off-putting when it involves food, as grocery store dumpsters primarily contain food items, most of which are secured in plastic bags against contamination and pests. Rarely will you find anything significantly unsanitary in these dumpsters.

Sustainable living advocate Rob Greenfield has traversed cities in the U.S., sampling food from around 300 different dumpsters. His blog showcases a variety of the high-quality food often available behind your typical grocery store.

Like any form of foraging, dumpster diving comes with a learning process. If the thought of going it alone seems intimidating, numerous Meetup and Facebook groups are filled with salvage food enthusiasts who organize group dumpster explorations and communal dinners featuring rescued food. This practice has become much more commonplace and accepted than many might realize. Even as someone who considers herself an experienced urban scavenger, I was surprised to discover Yelp reviews for local dumpsters, as well as directories of dumpsters by borough available on freegan.info.