Saving on Produce

buckeyechik

I went to the grocery yesterday and spent an ungodly amount of money (over $80...for us, that's ridiculous...and I didn't even buy meat for every day) because I bought a TON of produce (we're trying to really hone in our eating). 

I do all my shopping at Kroger now--just don't have the time or energy to shop at multiple stores.  I like their fuel perks and am familiar with the store and find that their prices are generally lower than Giant Eagle...at least they were last I checked about 3 months ago!

So my question is: Where have you guys found that has the best prices on produce? 

Danica1

Meijer generally has good prices, but produce costs are going up in general across the board I've noticed. I usually can get three cucumbers for $1 and now they are three for $2.

YourSong

I buy a lot of produce at Kroger.  A lot of it I think depends on which Kroger you use.  We have a large amount of produce at every meal meal. 

I usually am just really picky about which items I buy.  I get a lot of bananas because they are so cheap.  I buy the in season on sale produce only, except for lettuce.  We usually have a different produce sale every week, so I don't get bored. 

I avoid the avacados, which I love, because they are so expensive.

After reading this, I don't know if it'll be helpful or not.

brainstorm102

Yep, it seems to have gone up everywhere. Last week went to buy broccoli. It's usually about $1 and it was $2! I usually buy Kroger or Meijer. I even went to Fresh Market and their stuff was as equally lackluster (in the quality of produce they had in stock.) just more expensive of course! Can't wait to start growing my garden again and getting farmer's market produce!

cjn2007

I went to Walmart last night and it seemed to be a little cheaper. But I tend to buy it from Kroger it just seems to be fresher.

jannypie

grocery bills are on the rise across the board. milk has gone up an average of 20%, grain has hit a record high, truckers fees have been raised for road maintenance, and gas and oil of course figure into it also. also its been mandated that a certain %age of corn produced goes towards making ethanol instead of food, which is also at fault. food and drink prices rose 4.8% last year. they're saying gas will reach $4/gallon this summer

anyways, walmart and meijer are cheapest but you'll sacrifice some freshness and variety. here are some other tips to help
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080301/NEWS07/803010350 

Mrs*Pink

Have you checked Aldi?  Before we moved, DH and I were going to Aldi and quite often they had some good fruits and vegetables at really great prices.

Mrs.SabrinaM

This is difficult because of the time of the year.  I go to farmers markets all the time during the spring, summer and early fall.  you really do get the best produce at the best prices at them versus a grocery store. 

The best tip I can tell you is to buy what's in season it's usually always cheaper.  This time of the year that gets pretty limited but tomatoes, and such that are summer produce is going to be off the charts expensive. 

Also  

angiesue_234

I like Meijer (Hilliard-Rome) for their produce.  In general, I find it cheaper than Kroger and they have better quality and variety.

angiesue_234

Also, I find it is more expensive to eat healthy foods (produce, whole grains, leaner cuts of meat, organic milk/eggs, etc. etc).  I know some people swear that it is cheaper to eat healthy, but I'm not sure that I'm on the same planet that they are.

Andrea-n-Andy

Are you a member of a wholesale club?  Costco has great produce for really good prices.  However, I don't go as often as I would like because it's so far.  I just have to suck it up and pay the higher prices at Kroger.

jannypie

i've been thinking about that too. the problem is using it enough to make up the membership fee. do you find its worth it that way?

MrsJSP

We have a membership at Costco and use it every week.  And there's only 2 of us (and a baby).  We do most of our shopping there -- beef, chicken, produce, paper goods, detergent, baby wipes (don't like their diapers, though) and even furniture.   We also have the membership that gives us a certain percentage back every year, and we use the Costco AmEx, so we get a percentage back on gas, restaurants, etc.  So this past year, we got a rebate check of like $300.  
The membership has definitely paid for itself.  And the produce is generally really great.

Busty_Wench

Giant Eagle is the closest store for me but I used to shop at Meijer when I lived out in the 'burbs.  I think they have the best prices for good quality.  They also seem to have a wider variety than Kroger or GE. 

Walmart is obviously the cheapest but you could probably get better quality if you fished old produce out of the dumpster behind Kroger. 

Mrs.SabrinaM

they don't have a huge selection of produce but for other things the Clintonville community market is amazing.  They have a gallon of local organic milk for less than you can buy 1/2 gallons of organic milk places.

THey also have the best price for grains other than white rice.  You can buy in bulk just about anywhole grain you can think of.

Temp536318000001135

We always bought our produce at Meijer when we lived in Columbus. Chris found it to priced the best and the freshest. I had some problems with Kroger produce the few times I would buy it there...like it would go bad really quickly.

ASwank

I don't necessarily have a place to recommend (although, I prefer to buy my produce at Anderson's) -- however, I've really learned to start freezing stuff when I find it on sale.  Pints of blueberries, broccoli (cut), peppers (cut), etc.  I find the only things that don't freeze well are cheap anyway (i.e., oranges, apples, bananas, tomatoes, etc.)

Another "tip" is to buy frozen vegetables.  Frozen vegetables can be just as nutrious as fresh vegetables -- but cheaper.

My final tip is to kind of think seasonal.  For example, the only time of year I buy asparagus (on a regular basis) is in the spring -- because its in season and its cheap! 

HTH

jannypie

the Meijer on the west side of town at Rome/Hilliard was pretty good, we did most of our shopping when we lived over there. the one on Brice quite as nice though.

and i did my produce shopping at Andersons once... holy hell! $100 later with a gallon of milk and some oranges (well, it felt like that anyways) :-!!!

mbrooke1

Buy seasonal, buy frozen or canned, and go to the farmers markets when they are in season. I just read an article the other day about produce prices going up more - farmers have to make a living too. And with gas prices contually going up, the further away your produce is coming the more feul it uses to get to your local store.

IT'SRACHEL

you could try newcenturycsa.com

 

all the people in my office do this.