Sometimes, when I talk to people about adding more fruits or vegetables into their diet, their biggest concern is the price of good produce compared to the price of meat or carry-out. Budgets are important and I think we all can understand wanting to keep budgets in-line, no matter what "in-line" is. Of course, the fact that produce is the number one wasted food in the house does not lessen concerns of throwing away money.
Since budgets are something this family is concerned with as-well, I have a few tricks and tips up my sleeve that may help those concerned with spending extra money on produce. If your bigger concern is carry-out vs. home-made, I suggest watching this Jamie Oliver Food Revolution episode. In it, he helps a low-income family make a completely healthy, large, and well rounded meal for less than they spend at McDonald's; it blew my mind!
Shop in Season
Yes, there are some foods like broccoli and bananas that seem to never be out of season, but most other vegetables have times when they are locally grown and times when they are shipped in. The difference in price for locally grown foods compared to imported foods is substantial. With imported foods, you are not just paying the farmer, his workers, and the grocer for your goods, you are also paying a (possibly) hefty transport fee. To taint the transport biz a little more, foods that are transported over long distances are harvested before ripe so they do not spoil before delivery. This means that we are getting shorted out of taste and nutrition- and paying more for it!
Wisebread.com has a great list of in season produce for those living in the northern North American states. This list is fantastic for knowing when to plant and harvest depending on climate zones, gotta love that!
Buy Local
Buying from one go-to store is quite a bit easier than specialty grocers for produce, meats, baked goods, and everything else on your list. Although this option may not be for everyone, buying directly from local farmers at farmer retail stores pays. Some of these stores even co-op with local cattle, dairy, poultry farmers, and bakers to sell it all under one roof. One of the greatest perks of buying locally is the support of mom and pop businesses. Buying local save on our environment and help boost our local economy. Talk about a win-win-win!
If you live near a local farm, opting to buy directly from the farm instead of the local farmer retail shop can get you some major savings. Farmers tend to give good deals if bought directly from them, since you are not having to pay transport or grocer employees at all.
Grow Your Own
Of course, growing your own produce is the least expensive way to purchase fruits and veggies, by far. Whether you live on the middle of a perfectly soiled property or a concrete jungle, some portion of food can be grown on your own. If you have the ability to start up a kitchen garden (which I am completely jealous of), there are some great starter guides to take a look at. Earth Easy has a great starter guide for getting a kitchen garden ready for planting.
If a back yard garden is not quite what you are ready for, an indoor herb garden may be a great option. Herbs, for some reason, seem to be one of the priciest produce options. Growing your own on a counter or near a window could save tons and keep herbs around for much longer. A few years ago we got an AeroGarden for Christmas. If growing plants is not your forte, you will love this. Follow the directions and in a matter of weeks you will have your own sustainable garden!
