5 Ways to Save on Produce

The cost at the grocery store is going up, up, up but there are strategies to help save on produce.

Here are my top 5 ways to save on produce!

1. Stay in Season & on Sale.  Buying Strawberries in February will be a lot more expensive than buying strawberries in May.   Fresh, local produce in season will always be the better buy.  Tailor your produce selections to what is growing in your area and your budget will thank you.

2. Look for Markdowns. One of my favorite ways to save is to find produce that needs to be sold quickly- either because there is an abundance still on the shelves or because there is a blemish.  Taking them home and using them right away or freezing them can save upwards of 75%!

3. Use Rebate Apps.  Ibotta and Checkout51 sometimes offer discounts on produce.  Each week these offers change- we’ve seen peaches, grapes, lettuce, carrots, beans- all sorts of fresh fruits & veggies. The discounts range from $0.20 to 20% off but every little bit helps!

4. Look at the options.  Bagged apples and loose apples may look identical however their prices can vary widely.  Same with bagged carrots and loose ones, packaged peppers versus single ones.  Look at all the options in the produce section before making a decision.  At the same time, don’t trust that the 5 lb bag of apples are really 5 lbs.  Check the bag on the scales before placing it in your cart.  No bag is exactly 5 lbs and you’d rather have the 5.25 lb bag than the 4.70 lb one.

Frozen and canned produce can be a budget-friendly option and can be just as nutritious as fresh produce. Just make sure to choose brands that are packed in water or their own juice rather than syrup.

5. Look for coupons. While coupons for produce are rarer than the ones for cereal or diapers- they do exist.  Brands that package their products, such as Driscoll’s berries and Fresh Express Salads do put coupons on their products.  You usually have to register for their emails to get the best coupons.

A few other ways:

Grow your own produce: If you have the space and resources, consider starting a small garden to grow your own produce. This can save you money on your grocery bills and allow you to have fresh, homegrown produce.

Buy in bulk: Buying in bulk can be a cost-effective way to purchase produce, especially if you are able to find it at a discounted price. Just make sure you will be able to use the produce before it goes bad.