10 Little Known FREE Grocery Store Services
A lot of people may not realize that your grocery store may offer many free products that they don’t know about!
Over the years, I have learned of many free items and services my stores offer. Here is a list of 10 Little Known Free Grocery Store Services!
Different stores in nearby areas offer a diverse list of free things like:
- Free Food
- Free Birthday Stuff
- Free Home Goods
- Free Household Items
1. Educate
Does your store have a Dietitian on staff? Many do, and they can:
- help you plan out meals in an easy way
- teach you a good deal about food allergies
- help you learn a better way to read labels
- help teach kids about nutrition.
If you want to learn more about nutrition, a dietitian is a great place to start. They have taught me some of the best ways to manage my diet.
Check with your store and see if there is a Dietitian on staff and what services they offer.
2. Slice Meat
When my kids were young, I used to grab a cheap canned ham off the shelf and take it to the meat department and let the butcher cut it in thin sandwich slices. I would separate it into 1 lb bags and freeze the excess!
It was cheaper than the deli or the pre-packaged meats and sliced thinner and lasted longer! This was always a great way to save money. I’ve always had a great experience doing this.
3. Tenderize Meat
The Butcher can also tenderize your meat for you. Get to know your butcher and what they can do for you to make your life a little easier and dinner a bit faster.
4. Grind Meat
Again with the Butcher: If you prefer to choose your own beef and have them grind it for you, they will do that instead of buying pre-packaged hamburger meat. Plus, you know it’s always good quality meat.
5. Recipes & Cooking Tips
The Butcher can also tell you how to cook specific meats and even offer recipe suggestions. I’ve learned some of my favorite ways to cook meat this way.
6. Trim Meat
Chalk up another one for the Butcher – I told you they are your friend! The butcher can trim your cut of meat for you.
7. Cut Up A Chicken
The Butcher seems to be winning here – they can cut up a whole chicken for you.
8. Slice Breads
The deli or bakery area of your store will slice whole loaves of bread.
9. Slice Cheeses
The deli will slice cheeses for you, too! Your cheeses will be in perfect condition every time.
10. Pharmaceutical Advice
The Pharmacist is a great resource, too. They have been specially trained regarding prescriptions and over-the-counter meds and can tell you what to use when to use, them and how they interact even with your vitamins.
Many a night, I called the 24-hour Pharmacist when I had a sick child, and they were able to help me determine if I needed a Dr. or what I could use until morning when the Dr. would be available. This is an awesome free resource!
For bonus tips, you can make an account with your local grocery store. All you need to do to set up your new account is your phone number and personal information. Most stores have some good freebies every week. Plus, a great app from your local store will save you tons.
Most stores will give wooden shipping pallets of various sizes once they are done with them, if you ask. I prefer large sizes for my plants.
Speaking of free stuff:
There are many social media accounts and local groups all talking about freebies and this would be an excellent condition to find information about free things at your store.
You should also check out sites like the freecycle.org group: Entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving and getting stuff for free in their own Towns.
Sites like these are better than any yard sales, and garage sales, most of the items are in good condition and only have minor dings. Many items are better than the free stuff Craigslist has to offer.
Most of the time, these things aren’t advertised, and that’s why you don’t know about them. So, remember these the next time you head out to your store. We can use all the help we can get to make our lives a little easier and save us time.
With that extra free time – choose some free fun, there are plenty of great activities you can try. You can take the kids to the park and use the picnic areas for some lunch or dinner and fun outdoors together.
You can even set up scavenger hunts, take a short walk down a few local nature trails they might even have a walking tour. Some local parks even have outdoor concerts and live music. There’s free stuff all around you, just think outside the box.
You might also like:
How To Save Money. Simply. Every Day.
kelly says
My friend takes a whole pineapple to the deli counter and they peel and slice it for her.
Dian says
Kelly,
Thanks! That’s a great one!
Dian
Deborah says
I recently found out that a lot of grocery stores offer free cookies for the kiddos while you’re shopping too!
Dian says
Deborah,
That’s another good one! I y’all keep finding new ones, I’ll have to write another list! 🙂
Thanks!
Dian
becky says
the free cookies have been a thing since I was little and I will be 32 ina couple months
Angela says
As of about a month ago, our grocery store has started offering free fruit to children. They used to give out free cookies, but have switched over to a more healthy alternative.
It usually has bananas and apples in it.
Dian says
Angela,
That’s great! More stores should do that!
Thanks,
Dian
Roxana Guy says
Okay, I have to ask. I am usually friendly & outgoing, but I often become intimidated. How did you first approach this to find out this info. Also, in my area, we have 2 smaller grocers, Price Less IGA & Piggly Wiggly. Would this be available in more of a larger chain like Kroger or Publix? Or even like Wal-mart & Super Target? Any info is appreciated!!! So daunting, lol!
Sue says
Yes, Publix is very friendly about slicing/grinding meat, bread, or cheese. They give a free cookie to your child each time you visit the bakery counter. You just ask for a Cookie Club card and you present for all future visits. When you order sliced meat or cheese at the deli, they’ll even give you a free slice to taste. Sometimes they give it to you without asking, but they’re always happy to give it to you either way.
Dian says
Sue,
That is so nice! I just had a reader say her hubby was treated badly at Winn Dixie for asking… :/ Glad your Publix is so nice!
Thanks for sharing!
Dian
Gina says
The butcher will usually offer free knife sharpening too. You just have to bring your chef’s knife in a sheath or well wrapped, drop it off and the next day you’ll have sharp knives.
Dian says
Gina,
That’s a great one!! I didn’t know that! Thanks for sharing!
Dian
jodi says
Some butchers will also put seasoning on the meat for free (safeway does)
Dian says
Jodi,
Awesome thanks for sharing – I think I will make another one with all of these great ideas!
Thanks,
Dian
Dawn says
Remember the customer is always right. When my daughter was little she would ask fr her own “treats”.. She was very well spoken and small foe her age so they all thought she was adorable (bleach blonde with big blue eyes).. Added bonus, she learned manners and is very outgoing now. She is not afraid to speak her mind and makes friends with everyone. If there is a coffee shop in the store they will sometimes give a little one a cup of milk or chocolate milk when you get coffee. She would end up with a little ham and cheese sandwich (deli), cookie (bakery), milk (Starbucks) and stickers (pharmacy).. She still loves to go to the store with me at 14.. no more stickers now though… lol
Dian says
Dawn,
Great advice! Thanks!
Dian
Stephanie says
Some butcher departments will sharpen your Chef knives for free! Dierbergs for sure does it.
Dian says
Stephanie,
Good to know!
Thanks,
Dian
Marissa says
The deli will not slice cheese for if out of the dairy section. Only cheese you buy from the deli. They won’t slice a whole ham from the meat department either. Unless you get someone who is bored or very nice. I sliced a ham for a woman and was told the next day I could have been fired for it.
Dian says
Marissa,
It depends on the store. I have always bought canned hams off the shelf and taken it to the butcher in stores in my area and they have always sliced it. I haven’t had any issues with cheeses either. So, i am sure it just depends on your store.
Thanks,
Dian
Cathy says
Love these tips
Dian says
Cathy,
Thanks for the kind words!
Dian
April says
How do get stuff for free .
Dian says
April,
I have a FREE eBook that explains:
https://groceryshopforfree.com/dians-ebook/
I have FREE Videos that explain, too:
https://groceryshopforfree.com/dians-videos-2/
I also have a How To Coupon Section:
https://groceryshopforfree.com/category/how-to-coupon/
As well as a Couponing Question & Answers section:
https://groceryshopforfree.com/category/couponing-questions-answers/
How To Read A Coupon Matchup:
https://groceryshopforfree.com/read-coupon-matchups/
I am also always around to help! Feel free to email me and ask me anything:
Dian@groceryshopforfree.com
April says
How do I get stuff for free
Dian says
April,
I have a FREE eBook that explains:
https://groceryshopforfree.com/dians-ebook/
I have FREE Videos that explain, too:
https://groceryshopforfree.com/dians-videos-2/
I also have a How To Coupon Section:
https://groceryshopforfree.com/category/how-to-coupon/
As well as a Couponing Question & Answers section:
https://groceryshopforfree.com/category/couponing-questions-answers/
How To Read A Coupon Matchup:
https://groceryshopforfree.com/read-coupon-matchups/
I am also always around to help! Feel free to email me and ask me anything:
Dian@groceryshopforfree.com