What are some ways to get free food?

[Priestess]

The food bank takes so long to access and gives me food I can't even eat due to my health issues. I'm so hungry I found an apple in the street today and ate that. What are non-food bank ways of getting food? I've already tried olio, it's so crap in my area, there is nothing.

 

[Yarani]

I've once heard about asking politely in restaurants just before they close, because otherwise they'd throw stuff away.

 

[Worndown]

Where are you?
A food bank can pull items you can eat if you talk to them about it. A little communication can really help.

 

[genoke]

The food bank takes so long to access and gives me food I can't even eat due to my health issues. I'm so hungry I found an apple in the street today and ate that. What are non-food bank ways of getting food? I've already tried olio, it's so crap in my area, there is nothing.

PM me.

 

[Priestess]

I'm in Devon. And I did talk about my food intolerances to a food bank worker who was arranging some food for me. He got angry, acted like I was being a choosing beggar, and then refused to give me any food. People are not understanding of food intolerances, especially if you have multiple ones. They think you're just being fussy. It's a bit unfair of you to assume that I didn't try talking to anyone about it, and that people will magically be kind and understanding about it. They are not.

 

[divinemistress87]

As much as I hate Religion , hit up the churches they have good food pantries

 

[hawkshorizon]

I'm in the US so this may not be applicable for you, but here I've learned that you're likely to receive better attention if you go to smaller, religiously funded organizations. Large state or county run food banks tend to be less tolerant of individual needs.

 

[Worndown]

I'm in Devon. And I did talk about my food intolerances to a food bank worker who was arranging some food for me. He got angry, acted like I was being a choosing beggar, and then refused to give me any food. People are not understanding of food intolerances, especially if you have multiple ones. They think you're just being fussy. It's a bit unfair of you to assume that I didn't try talking to anyone about it, and that people will magically be kind and understanding about it. They are not.

You found a jerk. Go back and speak with someone in charge.

 

[Priestess]

He was the one in charge. Life isn't as easy for everyone as you think it is.

 

[the old man]

Happy to buy you a cream tea or two but it'd have to be jam on top....the proper way to have it

 

[TheGoodGuy]

I'm in Devon. And I did talk about my food intolerances to a food bank worker who was arranging some food for me. He got angry, acted like I was being a choosing beggar, and then refused to give me any food. People are not understanding of food intolerances, especially if you have multiple ones. They think you're just being fussy. It's a bit unfair of you to assume that I didn't try talking to anyone about it, and that people will magically be kind and understanding about it. They are not.

Completely agree people understand food intolerances or allergies at all, I am allergic to all none meat foods which people often also don´t believe because it sounds too crazy to be true and I also hate having to explain myself over and over again to people who I know already don´t believe me

 

[Priestess]

Happy to buy you a cream tea or two but it'd have to be jam on top....the proper way to have it

I'll take you up on that.
Goodguy: Pretty much the same here. My cancer treatment has made me severely intolerant to almost all plant foods, which sucks because I want to go vegan.

 

[Worndown]

He was the one in charge. Life isn't as easy for everyone as you think it is.

Somewhere there is a higher power.
Complain.

 

[Aloneandinpain]

Lots of fruit on trees right now. There's some people out there who don't even harvest their apples/pears from trees and alternatively if people have had a good crop they might have more than they can use.

Blackberries are ripe right now too and they're quite abundant in wild places

 

[nihilistic_dragon]

Dumpster diving or freeganism. Look up examples on YouTube if you are skeptical - it's a pretty neat activity actually, in many ways. If you don't want to go alone, look on FB or meetup for people who do it and can take you with them to show you the ropes.

 

[sisyphean-nightmare]

Dumpster diving, foraging, some grocery stores give away samples, public events like store openings, art shows and lectures sometimes serve snacks. Churches - at least in my country - often hand out meals both premeade and ingredients in bags.

 

[uglyugly]

Sometimes churches have free dinners. I haven't had too much religious pressure there.

I dumpster dive, meaning I take food out of dumpsters and the trash near stores that sell food, like groceries. I don't really recommend it, but I have been so desperate I've done it and still do it if I want to eat. I was ashamed and embarrassed at first, but I was so hungry. Now I just realize I did what I had to do.

If someone is going to go the trash or dumpster route, go for canned or sealed (like bagged) food. I will eat produce if it has been at least somewhat bagged, after washing it like crazy. I will not touch meat - cooked or raw - that anyone has thrown out because of the very real risk of food poisoning. I will eat canned meat in the rare times I can find it. Dairy is another issue, but usually you can tell when a dairy product has spoiled. I generally don't have problems with cheese or butter. Temperature is another issue - in the summer food spoils much quicker than in freezing temperatures. Expired food - depending on how long it has been expired - is usually OK. I have only had one issue in the 15+ years that I've eaten something expired, and believe me, I do it all the time. No matter what, I would not pull food out of a dumpster at a restaurant simply because I have no idea how long it sat out. Food poisoning is a real thing and you don't want it. I've had it quite seriously three times now and the last time did some real damage to my intestines that I don't think has ever been repaired. I believe I came close to dying from dehydration one time I had it because I was so sick I could not hold down plain water. Food poisoning is much worse than hunger, trust me please. If you can avoid the dumpster route, I would.