Outside my door last week, I found a box with my name on it. A big box. I wasn’t expecting anything, so it was with some excitement I opened the box to discover two large packets of bagel chips (like bagels, only cut up, cooked until crunchy, then seasoned). The next day, a tin of Mediterranean style tuna arrived unannounced (I don’t eat fish, but my cat does!). Later, bags of chewy candy and samples of olive oil materialized in my letterbox.

What did it all mean? At last, I’d discovered a source of free lunches!

Actually, I was reaping the rewards of dabbling in our Free Stuff category. Register for this, express interest in that, fill in a quick survey and before I knew it, I had free food arriving by the boxful. For New Zealand companies and consumers, it’s a win-win situation - they get your input into what products you’d like to see on the shelves of your local supermarket and you get a taste test for free.

As well as food, there are heaps of other freebies and giveaways up for grabs in this popular category. I’m awaiting my next tasty installment…