Time to go over how to make sure you’re getting the biggest bang for your buck with produce! There are a lot of tips and most include using the scales around the produce area. If you have younger kids, it is a great thing to have them do and believe it or not-your introducing them to science and math. You all know how I love to multi-task!
Tip #10: Not all packaging is equal
Not all packaging is equal…in weight I mean. So, let’s say you’re going to buy celery and all the bags say they weigh 2 pounds and cost 99 cents. What they really mean is weigh ABOUT 2 pounds. What does that mean for you? Well, to get the biggest bang for your buck, pick the three you think look/weigh the most. Then go over to the scale and weigh them and buy the heaviest one. (This is REALLY fun for kids to do as well!) This goes for bags of oranges, potatoes, and anything in a bag.
Tip #11: Try and find the biggest one you can!
Anything you buy that is a price per unit (i.e. 99 cents for A head of lettuce) and isn’t a price per pound, you want to use the same trick as above. Try and get the largest/heaviest one you can find, this well get you the most for your money. Produce that is usually sold PER item and not per pound may be: Green Peppers, Lettuce, ORANGES, Watermelon, etc.
Tip #12: READ THE SIGNS-carefully!
Again, READ the signs. Organic produce is right next to regular produce and does cost (a lot) more. Also, make sure you are looking to see if the price is per pound or per item. I’ve noticed (because I fell for it once) that Wal-Mart sells their oranges PER orange not per pound…which isn’t cheap!
Tip #13: Take a minute and pick produce that is ripe and good quality
Pick produce that is ripe-so you’ll eat it! There is nothing worse than bringing home mealy apples or squishy grapes. Here is a quick guide from Good Housekeeping to know how to pick your produce correctly.
| Fruit | Signs they’re fresh | Signs you shouldn’t buy |
| Apricots | Uniform golden color; firm to the touch | Pale yellow or greenish-yellow color; rock hard or very soft; shriveled |
| Cantaloupe | Delicate aroma; yellow-tinged skin; thick texture on the rind; no stem | Pronounced yellow rind; very sweet, pungent aroma; soft rind |
| Cherries | Average to large size; smooth, shiny surface; new-looking stems | Shriveled, dried stems; dull sheen |
| Grapes | Tender and plump; firmly attached to the stem; green grapes may have a slight amber blush | Brown, brittle stems; wrinkled surface; leaking juice |
| Honeydew | Delicate, pleasant aroma; creamy yellow rind; soft, velvety texture | Green, smooth, hard rind; very sweet, pungent aroma |
| Nectarines/Peaches | Plump; firm, with a slight cushion; white or yellow color with a red blush | Very cushiony; shriveled or prunelike |
| Oranges | Heavy; firm, smooth texture | Rough texture; lightweight; dull; dry or spongy |
| Watermelon | Cream-colored underside; symmetrical shape | Misshapen, with cushiony spots |
| Vegetable | Signs they’re fresh | Signs you shouldn’t buy |
| Asparagus | Straight, green stalks; closed tips | Open tips; curved or rough texture |
| Bell Peppers | Thick; bright; glossy skin; firm | Soft spots; shriveled |
| Broccoli | Firm; deep green color; closed florets | Yellow color; open florets; soft; slippery; water-soaked spots |
| Carrots | Bright orange; smooth; firm | Rough texture; green roots; wilted; soft spots |
| Green Beans | Long pods; straight; firm; crisp | Bent pods; blemishes; wilted or loose pods |
| Onions | Dry; papery; smooth skin; small necks | Green spots; leathery depressed spots |
| Potatoes (white) | Firm; oval shape; smooth | Odd shape; shriveled or green-tinged; bruised |
| Tomatoes | Plump; rich overall red color; slight cushion; smooth | Shriveled, with blemishes; water-soaked spots; depressed areas |
From: Good Housekeeping
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Another produce tip is if the bag of apples, oranges, ect. are priced by the bag or lbs then take the time to count the number in the bag. Not all bags have the same number for the weighted bag. Most people can’t tell the difference if an apple is a few ounces lighter. And that extra apple can feed one more person.