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Save Money on Produce

How to Buy Fresh Fruits and Vegetables for Less

Mar 19, 2009 L. Marie Dubuque

You can find the freshest, juiciest fruits, and the most tasty crisp vegetables without spending an arm and a leg. You just need to think beyond the supermarket.

Experts agrees, eating plenty of fruits and vegetables everyday is part of a healthy diet. But what nutritionists don't tell you is...how to buy them without breaking the bank.

Where to Find Inexpensive Fruits and Vegetables

Head to a farmers' market. Here, you'll meet the people who actually grow the plants that end up on your table. You can ask them questions, handle the vegetables, squeeze the fruit...without the whole experience squeezing you. You see, the produce at a farmers' market is actually fresher, and often cheaper, than buying the same fruits and veggies at a supermarket. That's because transportation costs are lower. All of the produce is locally grown. Plus it will last longer once you get home. Don't let making an extra trip or driving a little farther put you off. Once you see how much you'll save and the freshness of the produce, you'll keep coming back. Plus, the entire experience of visiting a farmers' market on a saturday morning is something you can share with the entire family.
Shop warehouse clubs. They have some of the freshest produce, because they sell it fast. Don't be afraid to buy in bulk even if you have a small family. You can always freeze what you don't eat, or think about canning and preserving as a new hobby!
Buy in season. If you must buy your produce at the grocery store, at least buy when local fruits and veggies are at their freshest. You'll save a bundle. And take advantage of supermarket specials and sales. Pay attention to signs that say, "locally grown." And don't be afraid to try new varieties when they are on sale. If you've never tried a tangelo or a kiwi, now is the time.
Plant your own vegetable garden. Seeds literally cost pennies. Start with tomatoes and bell peppers and expand from there. Even if you don't have a yard, you can grow many varieties in containers. And if you have some land, consider planting a a few fruit trees.
Only shop gourmet food stores on special occasions. You may end up paying more, and the produce might actually be inferior. Because the turn-over often is not as high as a lower priced supermarket, the products could actually be sitting longer. But if there is a special variety that you just have to have, and it is only available at a high-end grocery store, it doesn't hurt to treat yourself once in a while. Just do your research, and check supermarket sales flyers before heading to the store.

The copyright of the article Save Money on Produce in Consumer Education is owned by L. Marie Dubuque. Permission to republish Save Money on Produce in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Learn how to buy produce for less!