How to Buy Fresh Fruits and Vegetables on a Budget

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By derbyka
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Buy Fresh Fruits and Vegetables on a Budget

Whether it's the fruit of a twenty foot tall food pyramid on a billboard or our growling stomachs when we spy some juicy watermelon, everything seems to remind us our bodies need fruits and vegetables. However, getting those 5 colors a day the delicious way (fresh fruit!) is difficult, especially now that grocery prices are climbing.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

computer
writing utensil
paper
transportation (bike, car, feet etc)

Step 1

Shop around and get an idea of which fruits and vegetables go for what typical prices at which local grocery stores. I have found that each store (even higher priced ones) will usually have a couple of types of fruit or vegetables that are always cheapest there. Get a feel for the average cheapest fruit prices so that if that you see that same type of fruit on sale somewhere else, you will know when to resist. For instance, at one local store I know that green bell peppers are always under 90 cents. So, if I see the same vegetable for sale somewhere else for $1.20 I pass them up. When you go shopping, plan on making the rounds in one trip to get the best prices and conserve gas if you go by car.
Step 2

Check out the awesome online resource, www.pickyourown.org to search for, and locate, a farm near you where you can pick your own fruits and vegetables. Often this opportunity is cheaper than buying fruit in the store, even with gas as a factor. I recently purchased six pounds of blueberries for around $12, about a fourth of what I would have paid in a store. You can use the information on the website about what is in season locally to help know what to look for in the grocery store as well. The site also provides directions for washing, storing, and freezing several types of fruit and vegetables so that you can buy in bulk and stretch your money further. Many of the farms are even certified organic produce. Picking your own is a great way to show kids where produce comes from and get them interested in those healthy fruits and vegetables. If the farm is a ways away, carpool with neighbors, friends, or family and split the cost of gas.
Step 3

Visit the websites of your local grocery stores where you can view the weekly circulars and sales online taking note of fruits and vegetables on sale. This way, you can compare any fruit or vegetable sale prices to your standard prices and have an idea of where you should buy what before you leave. Jot down a grocery list and make note of the best location for each thing you want or need.
Step 4

Join a local delivery co-op. Usually you pay an annual or semi-annual fee and a box of local, in season (and possibly organic) fruit/vegetables is delivered to your door from the farm(s) on a weekly, biweekly, or monthly basis.
Step 5

Buy large fruits such as watermelon whole and cut them yourself. Consider splitting the cost and the fruit with a neighbor or friend. In the long run, it is much cheaper per cup of fruit than buying it already cut.

Comments

40skydiver said

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on 3/20/2009 I like the idea that you can go to pickyourown.org to find local fresh produce. Great tips!

MI-Sandi said

on 11/13/2008 Great tips. Healthy is the way to go! 5*

MommyBear said

on 10/8/2008 After reading about pickyourown from this article, I went to the website and found a great local farm that I then visited. You're very right about getting better prices for FRESH produce, plus it was all certified organic (a bonus!). Thanks for the great article and tips!