Whether I’m shopping at the grocery store or my local farmer’s market, I’m always on the lookout for the best deals on fruits and vegetables. I’m not a vegetarian, but I tend to make many meatless dishes and recipes.
And if there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s that you can save yourself a lot of money at the grocery store by shopping seasonally. Not only does food taste better when it’s fresh, but purchasing seasonal veggies will cost you a lot less money.
The cost savings is due to the fundamental law of supply and demand — when crops are in season, there’s more available to choose from. The abundance of certain fruits and veggies means you’ll pay less money to purchase these items.
Seasonal Produce: Better for Your Wallet and Your Taste Buds
On Saturdays, one of my favorite things to do is visit my local farmer's market. Not only do I get to buy fresh fruits and veggies, but I also get to see where my food is coming from.
When food is not in season, it's either grown in a hothouse or shipped in from other parts of the world. I like to be able to see the actual farms for the foods I'm about to consume.
Let’s use strawberries as an example of seasonal produce.
Personally, I’m always in the mood for a delicious, juicy strawberry. But when you purchase packaged strawberries during the winter months, most lack the vibrant red color, are speckled with white spots, and cost roughly $7 per pound.
But if you shop for strawberries during the summer, it’s a different story. You’ll find an abundance of flavorful, bright red strawberries, and most grocery stores and farmer’s markets only charge about $4 per pound.
So the big question is, when is the best time to buy fruits and vegetables to ensure you are getting the best price?
In this article, I’ll break down how I shop for all of my favorite fruits and vegetables in a month-by-month guide based on the season. I also keep this guide on my fridge as a reference so I can plan out my favorite recipes and meal plans.
But keep in mind that this list is not all-inclusive. For a more detailed list, please visit the United States Department of Agriculture's Seasonal Produce Guide.
Fall
As the weather begins to change in fall, the available produce starts to change as well. Apple picking season usually starts in September, so this is a great time to visit your local apple orchard and stock up.
If you’re looking for other options for fruit, this is an excellent time to buy cantaloupe or mangoes. And you can also purchase fresh squash, green beans, pumpkin, and sweet potatoes to enjoy in your Thanksgiving dinner.
September
Fruits
- Apples
- Cantaloupe
- Mangoes
- Pomegranates
Vegetables
- Acorn Squash
- Beets
- Butternut Squash
- Cauliflower
- Eggplant
- Green Beans
- Lettuce
- Mushrooms
- Pumpkins
- Spinach
- Sweet Potatoes
- Tomatoes
Recipe to try: Simple Green Pesto Pasta with Sweet Potatoes
October
Fruits
- Apples
- Cranberries
- Grapes
- Pomegranates
Vegetables
- Pumpkins
- Winter Squash
- Broccoli
- Spinach
- Lettuce
- Sweet Potatoes
- Cabbage
- Turnips
November
Fruits
- Cranberries
- Oranges
- Pears
- Tangerines
Vegetables
- Beets
- Broccoli
- Brussel Sprouts
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Spinach
- Sweet Potatoes
- Winter Squash
- Mushrooms
Winter
During the winter months, you’ll find that hearty produce tends to be the freshest. This includes cruciferous vegetables like Brussel sprouts and broccoli, which are rich in vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients.
The winter months are also a good time to purchase citrus fruits, like oranges and papayas. These fruits are an excellent source of fiber and can contribute to overall heart health.
December
Fruits
- Grapefruit
- Oranges
- Papayas
- Pears
- Pomegranates
- Tangerines
Vegetables
- Broccoli
- Brussels Sprouts
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Mushrooms
- Sweet Potatoes
January
Fruits
- Grapefruit
- Lemons
- Oranges
- Tangerines
- Papayas
Vegetables
- Broccoli
- Brussels Sprouts
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Turnips
February
Fruits
- Grapefruit
- Lemons
- Papayas
- Oranges
Vegetables
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Cabbage
- Rutabagas
Spring
Once spring hits, you can start to look forward to delicious fresh produce like pineapples, mangoes, and lettuce. By May, strawberries and cherries will be in season, and you can expand your veggie dishes with okra, zucchini, and asparagus.
Spring produce does sometimes get off to a rocky start due to unpredictable weather in certain parts of the country. But here is an overview of the fruits and veggies you can expect to enjoy.
March
Fruits
- Pineapples
- Mangoes
Vegetables
- Artichokes
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Lettuce
April
Fruits
- Pineapples
- Mangoes
Vegetables
- Zucchini
- Rhubarb
- Artichokes
- Asparagus
- Spring Peas
- Broccoli
- Lettuce
May
Fruits
- Cherries
- Pineapples
- Apricots
- Mangoes
- Strawberries
Vegetables
- Okra
- Zucchini
- Rhubarb
- Artichokes
- Asparagus
- Spring Peas
- Broccoli
- Lettuce
Summer
Summer is the best time of year to enjoy fresh fruits like blueberries, kiwi, strawberries, and watermelon. There’s really nothing better than enjoying a big bowl of fruit on a hot summer day.
And you can cook corn on the cob for your 4th of July barbecue, sautee zucchini, or make a fresh summer salad. And if you’re a fan of fruit pies, the summer months are the best time to make them.
June
Fruits
- Apricots
- Blueberries
- Cantaloupe
- Cherries
- Kiwi
- Mangoes
- Peaches
- Strawberries
- Watermelon
Vegetables
- Corn
- Lettuce
- Zucchini
Recipe to try: Simple Blueberry Pie
July
Fruits
- Watermelon
- Strawberries
- Cantaloupe
- Blueberries
- Peaches
- Apricots
- Kiwi
- Raspberries
- Plums
- Blackberries
Vegetables
- Cucumbers
- Tomatoes
- Summer Squash
- Corn
- Green Beans
- Lettuce
- Zucchini
August
Fruits
- Apples
- Apricots
- Blueberries
- Cantaloupe
- Kiwi
- Mangoes
- Peaches
- Plums
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
- Watermelon
Vegetables
- Acorn Squash
- Corn
- Cucumbers
- Eggplant
- Figs
- Green Beans
- Lettuce
- Peppers
- Summer Squash
- Tomatoes
- Winter Squash
- Zucchini
Year-Round Produce
Of course, you don’t have to shop seasonally for all of your produce. Foods like bananas, celery, and potatoes are in season all year long. These foods can be a staple in your diet and work well with most seasonal recipes.
Fruits
- Bananas
- Coconut
Vegetables
- Celery
- Potatoes
The Bottom Line
Hopefully, this article has shown you that it’s possible to eat healthy and save money on your grocery bill year-round. By buying seasonally, you ensure that you’re getting a variety of fruits and veggies in your diet and cutting down on grocery expenses.
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