5 Strategies to Save on Fresh Fruits and Veggies

Creating flavorful favorites on an appropriate budget can be tough, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are a few simple steps that can put smiles on hungry faces without leaving a dent in your finances.

1Make a list and stick to it. When buying fresh produce, remember some items have a shorter shelf life. Limiting purchases to items on your list can help lower grocery spending while avoiding food waste.

2Buy local. Transportation cost is one of the biggest factors in the price of produce, which means buying from farmer’s markets or locally can help reduce your total at checkout.

3Stock up on seasonal produce. Although you can find most produce at any time of year, this isn’t always an affordable choice. Knowing when your favorite fruits and veggies are in season can save you money and allow you to use the freshest ingredients in family meals.

4Know your produce department. The front or feature table of the produce department often offers the best deals. Don’t forget to look at the end caps on each produce aisle, which sometimes display seasonal items.

5Be in the know. Throughout each week, a “hot buy” may come into the store that didn’t make it into the weekly ad. This happens if a crop is doing well or if items are at the end of their seasons. Chat with the produce manager at your local store and he or she may inform you of special prices.