Free Food Safe Containers

Plastic two liter soda or sparkling water bottles are the perfect size for storing many things. They're almost ideal, as a matter of fact. The lids are airtight, you can see what's in them and you can store them either upright or stack them on their sides. You can store liquids (as in water) or solids (as in rice, flour, oats, pastas, grains, salt, sugar...) Even if you don't buy soft drinks in these containers, they're so common that someone you know will surely save a few for you.

Radish tops

Do you throw away radish leaves when you clean a bunch? You're throwing away good food. Radish leaves can be eaten raw in the salad but they also make a very good green vegetable, like spinach. Like spinach, too, they cook down, so plop them in boiling water for 15 to 20 seconds, then freeze them. Keep adding to your stash until you have enough for a meal. "Free" food!

More "free" freezer bags

Do you ever eat potato chips that come in air tight bags? (Almost all do.) Reuse them as freezer bags. Smooth as much air out of them as you can, then fold each corner inwards, then fold the triangle point down a couple of times. They keep food as fresh as plastic freezer bags.

Cap your bowls

A shower cap makes a great bowl cover when you want to store something in the refrigerator. It's cheaper than plastic wrap because you can use and reuse and reuse it. Wash it with your dishes (not in a dishwasher) or, if it hasn't touched the food, rinse and air dry between uses.