There are three ways that I know of where people have received free food:

1. Getting a box from a local food bank.

2. Someone leaves a box of food on your front porch.

3. Manna falls from heaven in your back yard.

Okay, it has been a couple centuries since the manna fell from heaven. And unless you have been unemployed for a long time you are probably not finding food on your front porch. Also you can only go to the Food Bank when you meet certain income guidelines and only once or twice a year.

You still can get free food.

Grow your own!

I have read that the cost of food is going to increase this year because of the rising cost of gas and other factors. If your food budget is already squeezed until it’s screaming you may need to plant some veggies.

I am not talking about digging up your backyard and putting in a massive garden. I am talking about planting some lettuce along one side of your house.

My garden plan is also for energy efficiency. My neighbors may be appalled, but I am planting corn along the south side of my house because I have a window that gets no shade. We have a ranch style house, so the corn should provide some shade for it during the hottest months of summer.

I also have a basement window on the west side that lets in a lot of heat. I am going to grow green beans along that wall to shade it.

In the house I have radishes and spinach in planters because I just can’t wait for fresh produce. I am growing herbs in a window box. The window is between my kitchen and living room but gets plenty of light from a floor to ceiling south window in the living room. I have seedlings of other herbs and vegetables started.

My point is  you can do something.

Better Homes and Gardens magazine shows a variety of lettuce growing in a planter in its April, 2011 issue.

Growing your own food is the latest thing!

Two other sources for inexpensive food are: FoodShare.com (they have groups in most states) and angelministries.com. Check out their websites for guidelines.

Don’t forget the local Food Bank when it comes time to harvest. They will take donations of extra produce.