We’re deep into summer…the very best season for fresh fruit! But honestly, comparing fruit prices can be frightening once you really delve into it (which, of course, I did!). Gotta tell you, I’m thinking you’ll be scared too once you see the actual cost you may be spending on fruit when you don’t have to.
I watch for sales weekly. And in the summer, fresh fruit and vegetables are at their peak AND their lowest prices. I’ve always stocked up whenever I knew for sure the price was a good one. Working to freeze my own fresh fruit is fun for me. I’m not much for canning, so maybe I’m compensating. But lately I also wondered about the cost of frozen…for the rest of the year! This is where the frightening truth begins.
You can’t compare “apples to apples”
Once I started trying to compare, I found the packaging was all over the map so far as sizes. Each store has big brands, their own brands, organics, and all different sizing which makes it SUPER hard to compare between them. Comparing by the pound would be easiest, but how do you do that with 10 oz, 18 oz, and 42 oz packages?
You guessed it; I know that math now…and I’m gonna say it’s my friend because now I am confident of how much I’m saving on my fruit. I did the work for you if you’re in Middle Tennessee. (Takes a field trip but you could do it for yourself in another region. Email me and I’ll give you tips on how to pull this off!)
You know you need the fruits and veggies as part of a healthier diet, but cost is still a factor. (Part of why is here!) So, let’s be as savvy as we can while giving our bodies good fuel.
Is the fresh fruit at bulk stores cheaper?
Costco and Sam’s offer a wide variety and you’d think they’d have super prices…buying in bulk promises that. Well, I beg you to check the grid above. I’ve absolutely been beating these prices by watching the sales flyers.
Here’s what I regularly pay for my fresh fruit:
- Red mangos 49c or 59c each
- Blueberries 1.49 or less per pint (about 12 oz – this price is about $2/#)
- Peaches 1.49 or less/# (best price of the season was 49c/#!!!)
- Strawberries 1.50/#
- Raspberries 1.67 or less/6 oz pkg (1.67 translates to $4.45/#…if you find the rare 99c pkg, that’s 2.64/#!!!)
Also, knowing that Sam’s and Costco are a significant driving distance from my house, that makes my savings even bigger. I only go when I REALLY need to or when I’m in the area already.
Fresh vs. Frozen
If you’re just grabbing a piece of fruit for a snack or adding it to the table for a meal, you probably want fresh fruit. But if you’re making a smoothie or maybe adding fruit to overnight oatmeal or making a cobbler, frozen might be best.
Last year after a cooking class all about processing, cutting and freezing fresh fruit, my dear friend Ashley asked if there was a cost savings in freezing your own. Obviously, it’s easier to just pick it up at the store but check out the price differences!
I have about 15 bags of peaches frozen in quarters that I paid everything from .49 to 1.49/# for while the frozen ones I found sliced were 3.99/#!!!! Did your mouth just drop open? It should have! Yes, my time is valuable, but if it takes about 15 minutes to prep a tray of peaches to freeze, it’s ABSOLUTELY WORTH IT for the cost savings. (go here for instructions on peach or strawberry freezing and here for blueberry, raspberry or blackberry freezing)
Bottom line? Know your best price
How do you save money every time you buy fruit of ANY kind? Know your best price! If you know you can pretty much always get Eastern peaches for 1.80/# at Costco and it’s close, you won’t buy them at 1.99/# anywhere else. If you have a list of best prices, you’ll always be looking for a price lower than those OR at least you know where you’ll be headed when you need that fruit. (I’ve highlighted my best prices above in yellow and some I didn’t like ANY of those prices!)
Now of course fruit is seasonal so some of these prices will vary as the seasons change. But now that I’ve opened your eyes, hopefully you’ll be watching more carefully and not simply grabbing whatever fruit willy nilly without THINKING about what you’re paying!
Need frozen fruit for your smoothies? Same thing! Know your best price, then you’ll KNOW when a sale price is a good one. If it’s not better than your best price, don’t buy it. Buy the best possible price whenever possible…and keep the cost savings in the bank! Fruit prices shouldn’t be frightening ever again! (Let me know your best fruit price in the comments below! I love a good savings story!)
Freezing your own fruit? Check out these “how to’s”…
