Between soaring grocery prices and shrinking package sizes, shoppers are always looking for ways to stretch their budgets a little further. Fortunately, some grocery chains still offer freebies that can make shopping more fun — and occasionally save you money, too. From complimentary cookies and birthday treats to knife sharpening and free food samples, these are some of the best free things you can get at grocery stores across the country.
While availability can vary by location, many shoppers don’t even realize these hidden perks exist.
Knife Sharpening
Raley’s offers free knife sharpening through its meat department. The chain is mainly in Northern California and Nevada, including Raley’s, Bel Air, Nob Hill Foods, and Raley’s O-N-E Market stores.
Free Kids’ Cookie
Publix bakeries are known for giving kids a free cookie when families ask at the bakery counter. Publix operates across the Southeast, including Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, and Kentucky.
Free Food Samples
Costco’s famous free samples are offered at many warehouses through Club Demonstration Services, which creates in-store demo events for Costco members. Costco has warehouses across much of the U.S., though sample availability varies by day and location. While other supermarkets also offer free samples, Costco seems to have a whole fanbase around them.
Free Birthday Treat
Lidl’s free myLidl rewards program gives members a free birthday treat each year. Lidl U.S. stores are concentrated on the East Coast, especially in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast.
Albertsons also offers a free birthday treat (worth up to $10) for U members during their birth month. The broader Albertsons family includes Albertsons, Safeway, Shaw’s, ACME, Jewel-Osco, Randalls and Vons, covering many Western, Southwestern, Midwestern and East Coast markets.
Free Birthday Cake Slice
The Fresh Market’s loyalty program includes a free slice of birthday cake during a member’s birthday month. The chain is based in Greensboro, North Carolina, and has stores across several Eastern, Southern and Midwestern states.
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Free Monthly Item
Albertsons for U also advertises a free item every month for members. This can apply across Albertsons Companies banners such as Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s and ACME, depending on local offers.
Free First-Birthday Smash Cake
Publix and Walmart both offer free smash cakes for babies turning one with qualifying bakery cake purchases. Publix locations across the Southeast may provide a complimentary smash cake with a first-birthday cake order, while Walmart bakeries nationwide advertise a free 6-inch smash cake when customers order an eligible custom cake. Availability, designs and ordering requirements can vary by location.
Free Fruit for Kids
Some Kroger stores have offered kids under 12 a free piece of fruit while shopping with a parent. Kroger operates under several banners across many regions, but this perk appears store-dependent, so shoppers should ask locally.
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Free Kids Club Treats
Hy-Vee’s Kids Club offers freebies such as cookies, fruit, stickers, birthday perks and in-store kids activities. Hy-Vee operates primarily in the Midwest, with business units across nine Midwestern states.
Free H-E-Buddy Game Prizes
H-E-B’s H-E-Buddy program includes the in-store “Spin & Win” game for kids. H-E-B is a Texas-based grocery chain, so this perk is mainly for Texas shoppers.
Free Stickers or Small Prize
Trader Joe’s stores often hide a stuffed animal for kids to find; children who spot it can tell an employee and may receive a small prize such as stickers or a lollipop. Trader Joe’s has stores in many U.S. states, but the prize can vary by store.
Free Product Samples From Freeosk
Some ShopRite and The Fresh Grocer locations have Freeosk kiosks that dispense rotating free samples, often with a loyalty card or app scan. ShopRite is concentrated in the Northeast, especially New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Delaware and Maryland.
