How about some random Fallout 3/NV like encounters or mini-encounters?
Urban areas:
A shop - small building, where you could find some low-priced junk like food, drinks, metal parts, cats paw, tools maybe; as well as some caps. Occasionally some cheap weapons or ammo like 10 mm pistol, pipe rifle, shotgun, bb gun etc. Some of those places might be also guarded by single dogs, ghouls, rats, ants or scavengers. There were some of that kind of places in both F3 and F:NV. Little danger, little price.
A small factory - bigger than shop, but well guarded (raiders, ghouls). Contains even more items, but all of the same kind, like lighters or nuka-colas for example. Some junk might be also taken from old machines. I think all F3 veterans remember teddy bears and bicycle factories..
Wastelands areas:
An abandoned shack - tiny building, where some 'survival' items might be found, like: shotgun/hunting rifle, some ammo, spears, gecko skins, healing powder, nuka colas, caps etc. Very popular in F3 and F:NV.
A truck wreckage - using well-known graphic, this place might contain few low-price pre-war civilian items like: food, drinks, electronic parts etc.; as well as some junk and metal parts.
Those are only examples of course. I think that would make traveling and hunting a little little more interesting, while it wouldn't break the balance and i think doesn't require to much work.
Encounter type, as well as number and type of items might be generated randomly, basing on LUCK, Character level, and maybe Outdoorsman skill.
..and please, don't write "this is not Fallout 3!". This is not Fallout 1 and 2 as well. Not anymore.