Food strategy tips to help if money is tight right now.
Strategies To Find Free Or Low-Cost Food When Money Is Tight
Harvard Business grad and Fit Men Cook founder Kevin Curry is doing his best to help as SNAP benefits are paused. He knows how difficult it is for millions of Americans right now; he graduated during a recession when no one was hiring and received SNAP benefits.
He offers these strategies for families looking for free or low-cost food:
Call the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Hunger Hotline to find the most up-to-date nearby food pantries and meal sites. The number is 1-866-3-HUNGRY (or 1-866-348-647).
Do not be afraid to shop at multiple food pantries to find what you need.
Talk to your child’s social worker or school about free breakfast, lunch or after-school food programs.
Find discounted food that’s about to go to waste and use it ASAP.
Don’t be ashamed to ask for discounts at the grocery store.
Ask your grocer when deals and markdowns are released.
Build a low-cost shopping cart with items that can go a long way like beans, lentils, rice, oats, pasta, canned goods and frozen fruits and veggies.