Time to directly go to farmers and Amish markets.

It would be great if we could all do that, or have our own!  I know a few trads who have land and do grow their own produce and keep chickens, goats, or cattle.  If you have access to a little land, you can grow a small garden.  A lot of people who live in the suburbs and cities don’t have that ability.  Even poor people in the country sometimes rent apartments in partitioned up houses, and are not permitted to use the land.  For awhile, I grew some rather nice cherry tomatoes in beach pails on my fire escape, but then my landlord passed on the $300 fine for obstructing it to me.  Then all I had was a Chia Herb Garden in mx bedroom, the only room that got enough sunlight to grow crops.  The other three windows faced the alley where I could reach out and shake hands with my neighbors! 

I admit I’ve been using a drive up food pantry about once per month.  Their policy is “You get what you get and you don’t get upset.”  I qualify, being over 55 and unemployed.  They really don’t ask questions.  More people than not who live here year round are on some form of public assistance.  I’m not on anything although I probably qualify, because I don’t officially live where I’m living.  If there’s something I definitely won’t use, I swap with other people at the back of the parking lot.  Just about everyone does it.  If something is completely nonperishable and I don’t use it, sometimes I re-donate it!   Otherwise, I try the Dollar General or Family Dollar for hot dogs, bologna, something I plan to use right away in the warm weather.  Winter, I can keep food in the bear-proof trash can I purchased at a yard sale!