Want to learn how to get free food without money? If you are trying to extend your grocery budget, save some money here and there, or you are really in a tough position, there are actually many legal ways to enjoy for free and get free stuff. Over the years, I have met…
Want to learn How to get free food No money?
If you are trying to extend your grocery budget, save some money here and there, or you are really in a tough position, there are actually many legal ways to enjoy for free and get free stuff.
Over the years, I have come across many ways to save money, some of which may surprise you. I get free food by signing up for restaurant apps, leveraging grocery store programs, using cashback apps, and more. Yes, I hear from readers that these readers even get free meals by becoming a local Facebook group or volunteering.
So if you want to reduce food costs, or need help with eating, my article will take you through the real way to get free food.
13 ways to get free food
Here are the ways you can get free food.
1. Register a Restaurant Reward Program
Many restaurants offer free food just to sign their loyalty or rewards programs. Sometimes you get free items immediately (such as fries, coffee or desserts), while other times, once you get points.
Popular options include:
- Starbucks
- Chick-fil-a
- Panera bread
- Duncan Donuts
- chipotle
- Burger King
- Jersey Mike’s
2. Free food on your birthday
This is an interesting one!
If your birthday is coming, there are a lot of restaurants that offer something for free without purchasing. You can get free meals, desserts, pastries, drinks, free drinks, free appetizers and other free food coupons.
Some examples include:
- Firehouse submarine
- IHOP
- Lift the sugar cane
- Baskin Robins
- Krispy Kreme
- Red Robin
- Buffalo Wild Wings
- Danny’s
- Aunt Anne’s
Many of these require you to register in advance, so plan early and make a list. You can even make a “birthday free gift” every year without spending a dime on yourself.
Recommended reading: 31 Free Birthday Gifts You Should Sign Up
3. Join the Grocery Store Loyalty Program
Many grocery stores have digital coupons, discounts, freebies offers and loyalty programs that can help you earn points you can offer for free groceries.
Registering is usually easy, with only your name, phone number and email address.
And, make sure you download and log into the grocery store app regularly, as this is usually where I find the best deals.
4. Use apps that offer free food or order
Apps like Fetch Rewards, Ibotta, and Ascent Space give you points when you scan or shop in certain stores. You can redeemed these points as gift cards, redeemed for grocery stores, food delivery apps, and restaurants.
You can register them by clicking the click below.
- Get Rewards – Used for grocery receipts
- IBOTTA – for grocery store receipts (I use both Fetch and Ibotta for the same receipts – double the dot!)
- Upwelling space – perfect for gas station receipts
I use three of these shopping per week.
I used these myself and have received free gift cards from places like Target and Uber Eats. It only takes a few seconds to scan receipts, a habit that adds together over time.
Recommended reading: 14 Best Apps to Scan Receipts
5. Find free food activities or local giveaways
You will be surprised at how many free food opportunities you have in your local area. Community events, grand openings and gatherings may give up snacks or meals.
You can find these by searching on Facebook Events, Local Community Pages, and even your Town Events Calendar. Public libraries sometimes hold free events with snacks. If you live near a university campus, look for student fairs or club activities as these may include free food and drinks.
Another idea is to post in your local Facebook group and just ask if there is any way to get free food. I’ve seen people post this in their local Facebook group, for example:
- A mom looking for free breast milk or formula milk, many mothers comment that they can help her
- A person looking for regular meals, commentators let them know that every Friday a local community center offers free food
- Parents look for regular meals for their children in the summer. Commentators let them know that throughout the summer, local primary schools are offering free breakfast and lunch to anyone under the age of 18.
I mentioned these examples to show that you don’t need to be afraid to ask. People want to help, and everyone should be able to eat food.
6. Leverage food pantry and community resources
There is a food pantry to help people in need and if you are struggling, they are there to serve you. You don’t always need to be unemployed or have zero income to qualify.
Many communities have food shelves, mobile food distribution vans and school pantry programs. Some even offer toiletries and baby products. You can contact the local Union Road, church, or find a place to feed the United States to get started.
7. Apply for government aid programs (WIC, SNAP, etc.)
There are also government programs designed to help families and individuals afford food. These include:
- SNAP (Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as Food Stamps)
- WIC (Women, Infants and Children Programs)
- School Meal Plan (Free Breakfast and Lunch)
Each program has different qualifications, but it is worth studying.
You can apply on the state’s welfare website or on the local Human Services Department. These programs help millions of families and can provide long-term solutions if you face ongoing food insecurity.
There are 17 ways you can learn about your other options to get free money from the government.
8. Try a mysterious shopping or food test show
Some companies will pay you (or repay you) to the restaurant and provide feedback. These are called mysterious shopping shows. You may also find opportunities to test your snacks or drinks at home.
Two sites to try include:
These shows don’t usually cost a lot, but free meals and snacks will certainly help. Always do research and avoid anything that looks like a scam or requires you to pay upfront.
Over the years, I’ve made a lot of different restaurant mystery shops, which used to be one of the main ways I could afford to eat out. The way the restaurant’s mysterious store works is:
- You register for a mysterious store company and then apply for a restaurant to a secret store.
- They provide you with a list of some issues and things to watch out for.
- You go to the restaurant and pretend you are a customer.
- You eat the same as paying.
- After you get home, you will fill out the restaurant survey.
- Then you pay back the restaurant meal from the Mysterious Store Company.
Can you learn more and hope to earn an extra $100 per month? Learn how to be a mysterious shopper.
9. Get free samples from food brands
Food brands sometimes give away free samples when launching new products. You can find these on social media via sample websites, brand newsletters, and even on social media.
Check the website:
hint: These samples run quickly, so register early and check your account frequently.
10. Local trade or barter
Local buyers or neighborhood groups sometimes have people giving away food they don’t need, such as extra food in the garden (such as carrots or even mangoes!), food pantry or bulk items purchase. Sometimes people even eat extra food, which gives away from dinner – I’ve seen everything.
You can join these groups through apps like Facebook or NextDoor. This is a great way to connect with your community and share resources.
11. Grow your own food or join the community garden
If you have space for several pots, you can grow herbs, tomatoes or lettuce at home. Even a small effort like this can save you money and give you something fresh.
Some towns also have community gardens where you can volunteer some of your harvest home.
12. Dive bin
OK, this isn’t for everyone, but some have had a huge success in trash diving for free food. Grocery stores and bakeries tend to throw out the perfect food due to appearance, expiration date or building blocks.
If you try it, please be safe. Wear gloves and go with others to avoid anything that is open, spoiled or unsafe. Of course, please check your local laws.
There is an entire community online dedicated to this, and some even use it as their primary source of groceries.
13. Earn free gift cards
One of my favorite ways to get free food is to earn free gift cards, which is easier than you think. There are several apps and websites that offer you gift cards to reward you just to complete small tasks such as scanning receipts, answering surveys, playing games or shopping online.
Now, these won’t make you rich, but you may get free gift cards from places like Target, Walmart, Doordash, etc.
Some of the best ways to get a free food gift card include:
Recommended reading:
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the answers to frequently asked questions about how to get free food.
How do I get free food on Doordash?
There are several ways to get free food on Doordash, such as playing games on your phone, answering surveys to get free gift cards or recommending friends to Doordash.
How to get free food for students?
Many university campuses have food pantry, free lunch events or giveaways. Some students are also eligible for SNAP based on their income and admission status. I suggest you contact your school to see what your options are, as there may be many, and there may be a simple list for you to view.
How do you eat when you don’t have the money to eat?
If you don’t have the money for food, you may need to start by visiting the pantry, applying for a snapshot, and joining a community group. Please don’t be afraid to ask for help, as there are many programs that support you. Everyone should be able to eat it!
Is it really possible to get free food without spending money?
Yes, free food is available without spending money. From reward programs to pantry, there are many legal ways to get meals and groceries for free.
How do I find free food near me?
To find free food nearby, you can search for local food banks, community events and Facebook groups. Also check out such as too good to go and Olio, these apps reduce food waste by giving up leftovers or extras.
Can I get food for free if it is not working?
Yes, there are multiple ways to get free food if you are not working. There are many food aid programs and pantry that do not require employment certificates as they are designed to help anyone in need.
Is the pantry suitable for low-income families only?
No, a food restaurant can help anyone in need, whether temporary or ongoing. If you are struggling, contact your local pantry to learn how to buy groceries for your family. You can find a pantry by searching online on the map, calling social services in your area, or simply finding a pantry in the Facebook group of “locals only”.
How to get free food – Summary
Hopefully you can find my articles and find how to find free food even if you don’t have money.
Getting free food may take a little energy and creativity (and a while), but it is possible. Whether you’re for a big deal or trying to spend the week, I hope you find these ideas helpful.
If you get free food in a way that I didn’t mention above, I would love to hear from you! Feel free to comment or email me. The more tips I can add, the better, because it can help more people.
Remember there is no shame in getting help or using strategies to support yourself and your family. There is a reason these resources exist and they can really change.
What do you think is the best way to get free food?
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