How to barter for food

​Some traditions have rightly been lost — aspics (as noted by Julie Powell in Julie and Julia) and Emeril Lagasse come to mind. Others that have disappeared make you long for a past America — heirloom varieties of vegetables, a Hereford House downtown, milk deliveries.

Well, one tradition that never left, but seemed to lay dormant, is now back because of the current economy: the act of bartering. And as anyone who has planted a backyard garden can attest, it would be nice to have some variety beyond cucumbers and tomatoes.

Chow has a list of the “Top 10 Ways to Barter for Food” that might help you turn household items into beers or find chickens at the swap meet. Most of the tips are practical advice, such as marketing your skills to farmers or instituting a soup swap. The idea of working for food doesn’t have to have a stigma — you’re just eliminating the step of receiving cash that is turned into food. The single best item on the list comes from London, where the Marksman Pub offers a swap night — exchanging lager for items that the bar or bartenders need.

Here in Kansas City, there’s the trading stalwart Craigslist. In exchange for food, right now you can get cleaning or electrical services, a five-drawer chest or the door to an ’80s Camaro. And if you know anything about transmission fluid, you can earn yourself a free pizza.

Bartering also has the added bonus of bringing people back into transactions. I’ll bet the guy with a Camaro door for trade has some interesting stories.