One of the biggest misconceptions I encounter is that eating healthy is really expensive. Well sure, it can be, if you don’t shop smart. But that’s why I’m here. I’ve scoured the markets, made the mistakes, and learned the lessons for you. After years of trying to eat within a super strict budget, I’ve come up with these easy and practical tips to save money on produce and fill your plate with a rainbow of colors, even when your bank account is running on empty.
Buying produce on a budget is all about picking the right items, at the right time, and in the right form, and it will likely be different for every person depending on where you live. Here’s a quick video introducing my techniques, but you can scroll down for a more in depth look at each tip, plus a few more!
Buy In-Season Produce
Okay, we’ve all heard this tip, but what does it actually mean and how does it save you money? In today’s global agriculture market, it’s a little more difficult to tell what is in season because many items are available year-round, but when produce that is grown in your region is in it’s harvesting season, you’ll notice a glut at the grocery store. That sudden increase in supply drives the prices down, all while providing you a fresher, more flavorful product than items that are technically grown “out of season” and half way around the world. Growing seasons differ from region to region, but if you keep your eyes open you’ll start to notice the patterns. Or you can consult any of the handy charts online, like this one from the USDA, to get a general idea. And if you do score a really super deal on seasonal produce, freeze it! Stock your freezer with your goods to use later and lock in that awesome in-season price.
Stick to Sturdy Vegetables
One of the easiest ways to save money on produce is to stick to sturdy fruit and vegetables. Delicate fruit and vegetables, like berries or baby greens, spoil quickly and therefore the growers and grocery stores carry a higher monetary risk to keep them stocked on their shelves. They cover that risk by raising the price. Instead, stick to sturdy vegetables that are very shelf stable, like cabbage, sweet potatoes, celery, onions, carrots, potatoes, kale, collards, apples, and oranges. Not only do they cost less at the store, but they’ll last longer once you get home, so you’re less likely to find them wilted in your crisper a day later.
Pay Attention to Pricing
Grocery stores usually price produce one of two ways: per pound, or per item. This can make a big difference in the total cost. For instance, a bag of grapes may have a big sign that says $2.99, which sounds great, until you realize that’s actually per pound and that bag of grapes weighs three pounds! That’s a $9 bag of grapes! Paying attention to pricing method is also important when comparing packaged produce to loose produce. You may see a bag of carrots for $1 each and loose carrots for $1.49 per pound. Check the weight of the bag of carrots so you can compare the per pound price for both.
Buy Regional Produce
Buying local is a huge trend, but it can also help you save money on produce! When produce has to travel across the country or across the globe the cost of that transportation gets absorbed into the price you’re charged at the checkout. As an added bonus, since regional produce has less distance to travel and can make it from farm to store faster, it’s usually picked closer to its peak ripeness and will have better flavor. So, tropical fruits and vegetables may be very inexpensive in the southern United States, but more expensive in the north, while cold weather fruits and vegetables, like apples and plums will be less expensive in the north and more costly in the south.
When You Can’t Buy Fresh, Buy Frozen
Frozen fruit and vegetables can be an excellent budget saver. When produce is out of season or expensive for other reasons, I turn to the freezer aisle. Frozen produce is not only convenient because it’s often pre-chopped and ready to toss into a recipe, they have an extremely long shelf (freezer) life, so you don’t have to worry about them spoiling if you don’t use them up right away. When shopping for frozen vegetables, stick to the plain vegetables that don’t come with sauces or seasonings, and buy larger bags to save more!
Shop Outside the Box
Some of the best places I’ve found for excellent quality produce at a low price are international markets. I haven’t quite figured out the why behind this, but I think it’s because other cultures use a lot more produce in their regular diet than Americans, so international markets have a higher turnover rate for their produce and can afford to stock better produce at a lower price. That’s just my guess, but whatever the reason, if you have a large Asian grocery or other international market in your area, check their produce! You may be pleasantly surprised. Also make sure to look into local CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture), and local farmers’ markets in your area.
Still Not Convinced?
On average I’d say I spend around $1.50/lb. for produce, and sometimes far less. Compare that to that $4 bag of chips. The bag of chips may look big, but it weighs next to nothing. Meat and dairy are going to be at least twice as much per pound than produce, if not more. If you pick the right produce at the right time, it can be one of the least expensive items in the grocery store. Stock up, eat healthy, and be happy!
Got Produce? Now What?
Now that you’re a pro at getting tons of fruit and vegetables at a bargain, what do you do with it? Browse our Vegetable Category for recipes, or check the Ingredient Index to filter recipes by specific ingredient/fruit/vegetable.
What are your favorite ways to save money on produce? Leave your tips for the other readers in the comments below!
A lot of tips and just plain good information to help the consumer.
I look for the manager’s special and $1 produce bags they are the items that are about to expire.
I would point out to be mindful that mishandling produce, before and after you buy it, will accelerate its spoilage.
If you drive a distance, as I do, to get to the produce to your fridge, I found that it is important to protect the produce from exposure to extreme heat or cold.
In summer heat and winter cold the produce rides, shaded, inside my car instead of the trunk. And I avoid delays to get it to the fridge where it is stored in closed (frequently reused) plastic bags and/or containers. Also, I buy what I plan to eat before it spoils and have extremely little spoilage or loss.
This is great! A note that one of the reasons why smaller, “ethnic” grocery stores have lower prices is because they generally have much lower overhead and marketing costs. Most of these stores don’t have fancy fliers or a huge web presence, and few have any kind of digitally enabled “points” or loyalty system they need to pay tech professionals to maintain. So, they are focusing on FOOD, rather than the marketing and promotion of their store.
If you have the time and inclination shopping at more than one grocery store can save money. Apples are $2.99 a pound at one store and $.69 each at another. There is a lot of saving available through knowing where to get the best price on the things you like and buy regularly. Invest in a freezer. I have a small chest freezer in my garage and it’s a great way to take advantage of sale prices on expensive items like meat. Have the meat counter pack the meat in amounts you typically use rather than one big lump. Shop with a list and only shop once a week or less often. Most people myself included succumb to impulse purchases during frequent trips to the grocery store. You will save money going less often. An added benefit is being more likely to make use of the stuff you already have on hand.
I buy produce at the 99 cent store. The selection is not always the best, but sometimes they have heirloom tomatoes or organic/ gourmet lettuce.
Do you believe there is value in purchasing organic produce? It can be argued that organic produce is better for the environment and your body; however, usually, these items are most costly. Do you have any suggestions about this?
Yes, only very recently have I formed an opinion on this. I think the those types of farming practices are very important for the environment and I plan to support the effort as much as possible by buying organic when I can. That being said, there are a lot of farms who actually use the same farming practices, but may not have been able to get their certification for many different reasons (it can be costly, for one), so if you’re able to know where your food is grown and how they run their farm, that can be another option. If you can’t buy 100% organic for whatever reason (budget or otherwise), it’s probably best to start with meat and dairy, as those seem to have the largest environmental impact. I think we all need to do what we can, when we can, and not get hung up on an all or nothing mentality. Every little bit of effort helps. You can read more about my experience learning about organic dairy farming in this post: Baked Spicy Chicken Sandwiches and my Stonyfield Organic Experience.