Although it's often said, ìThere's no free lunchî, this is no longer true. Grocery prices today produce sticker shock at the checkout. It's become quite difficult to come home with enough nutritious food to feed your family, let alone many treats. Most of us find it necessary to cut back on pricier foods, such as that fancy pesto or Asiago cheese we love, but can't afford any more. Well, here's some information you can use today to better manage your food stocks and subdue that grocery price shock. Best of all, it's free. It doesn't get any better than that.

Here's how to start collecting free food samples from manufacturers, who would like to make you a future customer. Type 'free food samples' into Google, or your favorite search engine. There are no shortage of results! You'll find both food companies and websites dedicated to compiling free food sample offers. Most of the free food sample websites will ask for your email, to send you coupons, some need your address in order to send you the actual food sample right through the mail. You may be asked to fill out a short survey. This is little trouble indeed when your battling today's high grocery prices.

You'll find food samples that cover just about anything you might buy at the supermarket. For example, some products which are definitely expensive these days are juices, breakfast cereal, organic foods, coffee and, lately rice. How about getting some for free? You can. With the money saved by trying some of these foods, maybe you can get your pesto!

Another advantage you gain in the grocery price battle is that by trying new foods, such as a breakfast food that's new on the market, or a new flavor of juice, is that you can add variety to your current repertoire of meals. If you're a coffee lover, that free sample of upscale coffee may be enough to convince you it's worth the price, at least on occasion. Besides, along with these samples, the manufacturer often includes a generous coupon to urge you out of a reluctant state. They want your business.

Organic food manufacturers offering free samples are well represented on such websites. With grocery prices what they are, organic food companies have a hard row to hoe, competing with conventional food companies. You may know that organic food is probably better for you, but you simply can't justify the expense. Maybe the sample you receive will convince you otherwise. Again, a coupon is often provided as an incentive for a purchase. The coupon value can make up the difference in cost ñ at least for the first purchase.

Yet another way to get some free food to ease that grocery budget is contests. You can enter for free and just might win free groceries. Dollar amounts of $100 and $250 are not uncommon.

Now go tame that grocery price monster. It's easy and free.