How Shopping Seasonally Can Save You Money on Groceries, Plus Other Benefits
If you’re like many people, your wallet is feeling the pinch of inflation right now. Simply shopping for your standard grocery items has become more expensive, so you’re looking for ways to save money at the market this winter.
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You might not realize it, but seeking out foods that are currently in-season can help you save money, while also enjoying the deliciously fresh fare.
“Items that are in-season tend to be in better supply compared to those that aren’t, so prices are often lower,” said Julie Ramhold, a consumer analyst with DealNews.com. “There are exceptions sometimes, if a crop suffers due to things like drought or even an overabundance of rain, then prices can skyrocket.”
On the other hand, she said if a crop has a healthy season, prices are typically on the more affordable side. In fact, if you can manage to shop local, she said you might be able to save even more, as you don’t have to worry about expenses like shipping costs being integrated into the price of food.
Getting Started
To get started shopping seasonally, she recommended conducting research to find out what’s in season in your local area, then keeping an eye out for these items on your shopping trips.
“However, if you have a local farmstand or farmer’s market to shop at, those may also be good options,” she said.
Ramhold said it’s also important to remember that just because an item is technically considered in-season, doesn’t mean it has this designation in your local area, so it could still end up being more expensive for you.
“For example, if you live in an area that produces apples then you may be able to get a haul for relatively cheap during the fall months,” she said. “However, the same area may not be so great for citrus, which means even when oranges are in season you could still end up paying more because of shipping costs.”
Despite that, she said it’s still cheaper to shop for produce in-season versus not in-season.
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“Grocery stores will often have a decent supply of these items at affordable prices, even if they have to come from a longer distance,” she said.
When it comes to savings, Ramhold said savvy shoppers can save as much as 50% on their grocery bill by shopping for seasonal foods.
“It’ll obviously vary by area, too, but in general this is what some shoppers will experience,” she said.
Foods To Look For
As far as the foods to prioritize this winter to maximize seasonal savings, there are many to choose from.
“It’ll depend on the area you live in, but in general December is good for things like cabbage, kale, collard greens and turnips, as well as sweet potatoes, pears and pomegranates,” she said. “In January, look for Brussels sprouts, kale, broccoli, winter squash, lemons, oranges and tangerines.”
She said to expect much of the same in February, including turnips and cabbage.
Of course, where you shop can largely dictate your savings.
“Discount stores like Aldi tend to be pretty good, as well as chains like Kroger, Publix and even Target,” she said. “As with anything else, though, it’s a good idea to shop around to make sure you’re getting the best rates at the store of your choice and also browse weekly ads to see what’s on sale, as you can save even more by shopping seasonal produce that way.”
In addition to the savings offered by seasonal groceries, there’s also plenty of health benefits associated with eating in-season.
Fresh fruits and vegetables are more flavorful and nutritious, because they aren’t processed or preserved, according to the Medical West Hospital Authority. Conversely, fruits and vegetables that are out of season tend to be less flavorful, because they lose their nutritional value after harvesting.
Specifically, fresh fruits and vegetables have higher vitamin C content than those not in-season, which can lower your risk of contracting several infections caused by preservatives in canned and processed foods. Additionally, fresh fruits and vegetables are filled with antioxidants that can help your body fight disease.
Since winter is the chilliest season of the year, you’ll likely be spending more time indoors, which is the perfect opportunity to try out new recipes with your seasonal fare.
Now that you know how to start shopping seasonally, what fruits and vegetables to look for and where to shop, it’s time to fill your kitchen with fresh fare. Shop around at a few different stores and local produce stands to figure out where you can score the best produce at the lowest prices.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: How Shopping Seasonally Can Save You Money on Groceries, Plus Other Benefits
