Times are tough, and everyone is trying to save money. Freebie foraging is a great hobby to take up right now. In my neighborhood it's easy to find things. Read on for the tricks of the trade...
Finding Freebies in the Streets
Simply going for a walk one can find an abundance of discarded items in free boxes, placed outside by people of the neighborhood. Just this week, I found boxes of food donations and got salt, applesauce, canned crushed tomatoes and more! Finding these food staples are a way to supplement the grocery budget.
I've also found clothes, kitchen supplies, and furniture in good condition over the years. The secret to finding the freebies is to search during certain times of the year, such as summertime when the college students are moving in and out. New Year's Day and Spring Cleaning are a good time to take advantage of people's decluttering sprees. Checking craigslist and nextdoor daily can alert you to some opportunities too.
Flowers, Herbs, and Food!
The Remington Free Farm is a wonderful resource in the neighborhood to get fresh produce. The farm shares it's bounty by placing crops in the pinewood pantry free for anyone who wants them! Today I got a beautiful bunch of fresh flowers to make a late summer bouquet and a handful of beets that I pickled with a fermentation kit I found in a free box. I cut the greens from the stems and set those aside for a salad later...
Hidden behind the village park is a home where the owners graciously share their garden with the neighbors. When they are in season I like to grab a few herbs to dry. Hang em high! Also around the corner is a Little Free Library...
Go to Guilford to gather rosemary and local lavender. On my walk I found a discarded green ribbon from a fancy liquor bottle in new condition. I use the ribbon to tie up the herbs on a garland. Parsley, basil, mint, and thyme that will be dried just in time for fall flavored foods!
There are several trees in the area that bear fruit at various times of the year. I know of at least three figs trees nearby that are just starting to ripen. I nabbed a few to mash up and spread on a piece of berry nut bread I baked yesterday...
A pear tree without a partridge I passed by, and took a few fruits for my salad and early autumn pear pie... Pears are the perfect fruit to transition from summer to fall with...
There is a community garden behind the elementary school on 26th Street. The farm is maintained by the students for the benefit of all. I just got kale, sungold tomatoes, and peppers there!
Little Free Libraries
These small structures contain big benefits! Little Free Libraries are a boon to all book seekers, and sometimes contain more than just books. In addition to media such as movies and music, I've found food, games, electronics, and more in these tiny houses. There are tons of them in my neighborhood, new ones pop up almost every day!
My favorite little library is at St. John's Church where freebies can also be found in and around the grotto sometimes. Another library at The Church of the Guardian Angel in Remington is a good place to check, and it also has a peach tree next to it!
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