A viable strategy for free lunches around my work are catered meetings and events. If you can get yourself invited to a meeting or event that's catered you're golden, but even if you can't, being in the know about when they're happening can still score you a free lunch (or breakfast, or dinner) by taking advantage of leftovers.
Because the organizer knows I love Hawaiian music, I had the pleasure of being invited to a 'Fishbowl' event at my work this week, that was catered by L&L Hawaiian BBQ. Fishbowls are one of the many perks of working where I do. We bring in musicians and authors (primarily) for small meet & greet events where they may read from their latest book, play music from their latest album, answer questions, or sometime even cook. This week's fishbowl was Brother Noland - an awesome Jawaiian musician - who brought his whole band, set up all their gear, and played a set for us in a meeting room. And thanks to his label, Mountain Apple Records, we also received gift bags with two of his albums, some chocolate covered mac nuts, and other goodies, AND on top of all that, we got a delicious free lunch of kalua pig & cabbage, chicken katsu, steamed rice, mac salad, and even POG!
Given that it was one of the first really sunny days of the year, the lively, upbeat sounds of Brother Noland and the island food really transported me to another place... a place I'll be in just 3 short weeks!
I also had a surprise Frugal Friday, when my office mate returned from a meeting with a leftover box lunch. Every week, he's part of a cross-departmental strategy meeting that my team hosts during the lunch hour, and provides lunch for all the attendees (probably as a way to encourage participation). I'm not invited, but knowing that I'm always in search of a cheap lunch for this series, Jason grabbed a leftover box lunch and brought it to me.
The lunch was from Gourmando Catering, and featured a delicious roasted chicken Le Panier baguette sandwich, a mixed green salad with dried cherries and balsamic vinaigrette, and a mini chocolate cake.
Truth be told, the box lunch cost $11.45 - but since I didn't spend anything for it, I think it qualifies as a Frugal Friday lunch. When catered meetings at my work have leftovers, they usually go into our kitchenette area for anyone to enjoy... so the opportunity for a free lunch (or breakfast, or snack) pops up every once in awhile. We even have an email list at my work for people to send out notifications regarding free food which has included notifications about everything from sandwiches to muffins to beer.
(Frugal Fridays is a weekly series dedicated to finding Seattle lunch spots where you can walk in with a $5 bill and walk out with a fulfilling, preferably healthy, lunch. If you have suggestions of places in the Seattle area with a great lunch for under $5 after tax, post a comment - I'd love the help.)
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