Nashville Food Blog

It's just about time again for my favorite annual food drive: Food for Fines at the Nashville Public Library. From Jan. 12 to 22, the library will grant clemency to patrons with overdue books in exchange for canned food. Each can will expunge $1 in fines, which means you can wipe out your debt for, well, beans.

Of course, there's plenty of opportunity for arbitrage, and if you're like me and have been driving around with a delinquent Pinocchio DVD in your minivan for about six months, you might want to start looking for triple-coupon days to help defray the cost of the canned goods it's gonna take to fund your bailout. (While you're at it, if you happen to find any great deals on nonperishable foods, please post them below.)

Nonperishable food items in boxes or plastic bags can be brought to any circulation desk at any branch of Nashville Public Library. Items most needed include peanut butter; canned vegetables, fruits and meats; macaroni and cheese; rice; and beans.

Now in its third year, Food for Fines is a top food drive benefiting Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. The organization, which helps nonprofit agencies provide emergency food boxes, has experienced a 26 percent increase in requests for assistance this winter. For more information about Food for Fines, call 862-5800.