$100 minimum per week on only fresh produce

[Anonymous]

We are spending minimum $100-$120 per week only on fruits and vegetables per week. Does not include packaged snacks, meat or other items. Just fresh produce aisle at the grocery stores. We are not an organic-only family. We shop at miscellaneous places - Costco, Whole Foods, Safeway being the primary ones.

Where do you shop if you are spending less than this on a family of 4 only on fresh produce?

[Anonymous]

I can commiserate. We spend at least that on fruit and veggies. My kids are picky eaters but they will always eat fruit so I stock up. I think of it as an “investment” in their health at this point!

[Anonymous]

Fruit prices are crazy lately and I just go to Giant so nothing fancy.

[Anonymous]

Walmart, aldis, Asian markets

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Fruit prices are crazy lately and I just go to Giant so nothing fancy.

Giant is more expensive than TJ and sometimes even Whole Foods!

[Anonymous]

You should start a garden this spring/summer--you'll save money on lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini.

[Anonymous]

Sams has significantly lower prices on produce and other things. I also go to Costco. I can buy more for less.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can commiserate. We spend at least that on fruit and veggies. My kids are picky eaters but they will always eat fruit so I stock up. I think of it as an “investment” in their health at this point!

Op here. That is how I am looking at it too - investment in health for the future.
I like someone saying "grow your own vegetables". I am not into gardening but may have to get into it. With job scenarios being so bad, the biggest worry for me is not being able to afford basic food items.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can commiserate. We spend at least that on fruit and veggies. My kids are picky eaters but they will always eat fruit so I stock up. I think of it as an “investment” in their health at this point!

Op here. That is how I am looking at it too - investment in health for the future.
I like someone saying "grow your own vegetables". I am not into gardening but may have to get into it. With job scenarios being so bad, the biggest worry for me is not being able to afford basic food items.

I haven't grown them before but apparently Zuchinni and other squash just grow prolifically in a home garden.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can commiserate. We spend at least that on fruit and veggies. My kids are picky eaters but they will always eat fruit so I stock up. I think of it as an “investment” in their health at this point!

Op here. That is how I am looking at it too - investment in health for the future.
I like someone saying "grow your own vegetables". I am not into gardening but may have to get into it. With job scenarios being so bad, the biggest worry for me is not being able to afford basic food items.

Grow vegetables that give you the most bang for the buck: tomatoes, peppers (not bells), eggplants, cukes, okra. I’ve had bad luck with zucchini as the plants get destroyed by vine borers but if you can grow that it’s very prolific. Herbs are very easy too.
And don’t get caught into all those fancy gizmos if you decide to garden. You don’t need much to get started.

[Anonymous]

What are you buying? Consider shifting your fruit/vegetable purchases to be more aligned with seasonal price/availability and you may save money. What that looks like for me in winter:

Fruits: bananas, apples, citrus, pears. I buy other fruits (mango, berries, cherries) frozen and either defrost in the fridge for adding to food or mix them into smoothies, etc.

Vegetables: broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, hearty greens, onions. Frozen: peas, edamame, corn. I'll add 1-2 "treat" things like cherry tomatoes or snap peas per week if there's room in budget.

In the summer, I get a CSA ($15/week for fruit and $41/week for vegetables) and basically don't buy fruits and vegetables at the store.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can commiserate. We spend at least that on fruit and veggies. My kids are picky eaters but they will always eat fruit so I stock up. I think of it as an “investment” in their health at this point!

Op here. That is how I am looking at it too - investment in health for the future.
I like someone saying "grow your own vegetables". I am not into gardening but may have to get into it. With job scenarios being so bad, the biggest worry for me is not being able to afford basic food items.

Grow vegetables that give you the most bang for the buck: tomatoes, peppers (not bells), eggplants, cukes, okra. I’ve had bad luck with zucchini as the plants get destroyed by vine borers but if you can grow that it’s very prolific. Herbs are very easy too.
And don’t get caught into all those fancy gizmos if you decide to garden. You don’t need much to get started.

Yeah it just takes a bad instance with pests or birds and it's all worthless.

OP, frozen vegetables are a good option. Have you tried that for the vegetables that are excellent (and sometimes better) frozen?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What are you buying? Consider shifting your fruit/vegetable purchases to be more aligned with seasonal price/availability and you may save money. What that looks like for me in winter:

Fruits: bananas, apples, citrus, pears. I buy other fruits (mango, berries, cherries) frozen and either defrost in the fridge for adding to food or mix them into smoothies, etc.

Vegetables: broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, hearty greens, onions. Frozen: peas, edamame, corn. I'll add 1-2 "treat" things like cherry tomatoes or snap peas per week if there's room in budget.

In the summer, I get a CSA ($15/week for fruit and $41/week for vegetables) and basically don't buy fruits and vegetables at the store.

OH, and potatoes/sweet potatoes/winter squash. Of course.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Fruit prices are crazy lately and I just go to Giant so nothing fancy.

giant it too expensive for their rotten produce

[Anonymous]

This is OP. I try to shop wisely. If a pineapple in winter costs $5.99, I don't buy it. I will do that in summers for $2.99. Yes, I do buy frozen vegetables and fruits but prefer fresh ones since a lot of recipes with fresh veggies taste better. I use a combination of fresh and frozen fruit if I am making smoothies.