Husband and wife are empty nesters…what next we ask?

Infosuar is right. You could get into the back of Grocery stores and Malls and Wal marts. As a matter of fact' go to the Walmart and buy their road atlas. It lists all the Walmarts in USA and what they have. like super Walmart with food.
The problem with this strategy is usaully by the time you see the supermarket you alraedy pass it or you cant figure out how to get in there. And also by the time youre done with your shift, the last thing you wanna do is go searching for a food store. You wanna eat and go to sleep! Also cooking is an option however not many truckers do unless they have a huge sleeper with a kitchen. you can carry a charcoal grill but that gets to be a big mess and not practical. You could try a gas grill but then your are carrying compressed gas which is hazmat with no bill of lading and no placards. Sticky business if the DOT wants to be an ### and they do so there you go. And even if you did manage all of that then theres the clean up after dinner.
I guess you could make it work it's just gonna be hard and also remember company drivers dont get a lotta time to sit(teams).

 

At first, yeah that's gonna be the case. I'm still trying to find a place to eat in Texarkanna.
(I've only been through that way about 5-6 times)

But after a while of driving, you're gonna build up a data base of stopovers, easy to access shops, convenient malls, preferable truck stops.
You'll trip plan for them just like you would a fuel stop.

example: at exit 123 in blah blah kentucky there's no truck stop but a Krogers with a big lot and a Bob Evans in the front court. It's 2.3 miles two and from the off ramps, and 6 minutes to hike from the service lane to the Bob Evans. If I arrive after the breakfast rush, I can get a counter seat and be in & out in 25 minutes, plus biscuits to go. That gives me 15 minutes to buy cold cuts, carrots & juices at the Krogers and be "wheels up" & "line 3" in under 60 minutes.

When I was OTR, Circuit City had just gone under, so if I saw one I'd use their dock for parking and shop at any stores within walking distance.

 

The Love's in Bennett, CO (exit304) is right across the street from a King Soopers... hubby drops me off there while he fuels... LOVE fresh produce! The crock pot is our friend

 

Yes we are glad we did this... It saved our house!

 

One claim in 7 years? Probably no big deal.

Might wanna check on that Philly ticket though, they might have fined you in abstentia and issued a warrant on your license.

(Philly's crazy like that)