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Saving on groceries feels like a never-ending battle. The prices of everything are going up, so you may not be able to spend less than you did a few years ago, but you can still get good deals on everything at the grocery store if you’re smart about what you do. Here’s how to save on produce in 2025.
How to Save on Produce in 2025
Shop seasonally
Buying produce in season is the best way to save on produce. Buying strawberries in December is going to break your budget. I post monthly about what is in season each month. (See What to Buy in January)
Visit farmers’ markets
Not only will you automatically be able to shop from what’s in season, but you’ll also be supporting local farmers if you shop your farmers’ markets. You’re also guaranteed fresh produce and can mee the people selling you their food!
Join a produce co-op
Some co-ops only operate in the summer, while others operate year-round. You can help start your own produce co-op or join an existing one. Think about your rhythms of eating and shopping when you do this. We have a co-op in our area that is week to week, so if we have enough other produce or I find good deals at the store, I don’t order a box that week. Other co-ops require you to pay for a season, so you don’t have the option to opt out for a week.
Know when your store marks produce down
While some produce is obviously tossed if it gets old, you can often find deals on package or bagged produce (salad greens, etc.) as they get close to their expiration date. Many stores mark things down first thing in the morning, so it might be worth it to go to the same store once a week shortly after opening.
Don’t be afraid of frozen and canned produce
There is truly no difference between fresh green beans and frozen green beans. The only reason you might want one over the other is because of how you want to prepare them. But in terms of nutrients, they’re the same. If fresh produce is above budget, look into the frozen and canned options and don’t think twice about it.
Minimize waste
If you got good deals on your produce but they all rot in your fridge, you’re not really saving money! Don’t buy more than you need, and make sure you keep track of what you have. When our produce drawers in the fridge get full, I always pull out what we need to eat soon and put it front and center so that I don’t forget about it. I know that out of sight, out of mind is especially true in this case. You can also freeze many fruits and vegetables.
Buy in bulk
Sometimes you can get a great deal buying in bulk at a roadside stand or market, and even at stores like Costco. Just make sure you have a plan for how to use it!
Grow your own
You don’t have to grow all your vegetables in order to save money. Even a few might help! Here are 15 vegetables you can grow yourself.
Use rainchecks
Don’t be afraid to ask for a raincheck if the store is out of produce that’s on sale! You can wait and get it at the same price when it’s fresh.
Use overage from other grocery savings
If you’re struggling to find produce on sale, then you can use what you save on the other items on your list in order to pay a little more for produce. I like to do this, for example, when I get a $15 off $100 coupon at Kroger. I might use the $15 I’m saving with the coupon to stock up on frozen veggies.
Be ok with being bored
This tip may be more for parents with kids, but it might be for adults, too. Don’t fall into the trap of paying more for variety. Sometimes, apples are the only thing that are a good price, and you just need to eat apples for the week to save money. Everyone will be OK, and as my mom always said, “If you’re really hungry, you’ll eat an apple.”
