Saving Money On Produce

Saving Money On Produce

If you are anything like me, then the onset of spring has you ready to start eating like it's summer again.... fresh veggies and fruits.  Yum!!

But it's not quite time to be eating from the garden.  Here in Ohio, I haven't even started planting much yet!!  So, if you are antsy to eat fresh, here are a few ways to save money on your produce.  And remember to try to buy organic or local grown (greenhouse) whenever possible!!

Mushrooms

Buy creminis instead of portobellos, which are just larger versions.  For most recipes, making a direct swap can save you about $2-$3.  So if you purchase 2 packages per month, this saves you $4!!

Salad Greens 

Instead of buying a clam shell of mixed greens at $5 per 6-ounce package, get those same greens buy the head for about $2 each.  For salad that will stay fresh for a full week, wash and thoroughly dry the leaves, then store them in a plastic bag you've punched holes in with a fork.

Buy 4 1-lb. heads of lettuce a month and save $32!!

Strawberries 

These usually go for about $4 a quart in the supermarket.  There is really not a great way to save unless you wait on a sale. :)  I opt to only eat what I grow, and go without once the fresh and frozen supply has been exhausted each year.  This saves me about $8 a month. 

Tomatoes 

Skip the cherry tomatoes and go for the larger round ones, which are usually about 50 cents to $1 less per pound.  But don't forget, growing your own is the best option, both in cost and quality.  These can be both frozen and canned, so plant extra this year!!

Potatoes

When making potato salad, opt for bagged spuds.  Loose ones can cost about $1 a pound, but you can find entire 5 pound bags for a low as $2.50!  And because packagers are required by law to provide at least the advertised minimum weight, you'll usually get a little more per bag.

Corn

Unshucked corn is less expensive and keeps better than shucked.  At some stores, sweet corn with the leaves intact costs a third less than shrink-wrapped super-sweet corn.  Try to buy the day that you will eat it or the day before, as sweet corn gets less sweet the longer it sits.