Trying to eat clean on a budget? Here are some ways to buy really cheap fruit.
Can really frugal families eat organic fruit everyday? Well, maybe not exactly organic, but it is possible to minimize pesticides and get fruit at a really cheap price! I should know because I am very frugal and I minimize toxins in my life for health reasons.
Here are 4 ways to buy the best fruit available at the cheapest price.
Buy From a Local Farmer
Farmer’s Markets are a good place to buy seasonal fresh fruit. You can locate your local farmers markets at localharvest.org. Many times the fruit available is pesticide free and it is a good price. In many cases pesticide free is as good as organic-the farmer just hasn’t gotten the organic certification (which can be very costly and time consuming).
While you are at the farmer’s market, get to know your local farmers. Some farmers will give you a discount if you buy a whole box of fruit. Even if they don’t have anything like that available, it is a good idea to ask if they ever have discounts. Some farmers will tell you to call a few days ahead of the market and if there is a surplus of anything, they will give you a discount if you buy more.
Some farmer’s have “pick your own” days when the fruit is drastically discounted. My local farmer has certain days when strawberries are $1.00 a pound because he needs to get them out of the field.
Buy Fruit that is in Season
Fruit at the grocery store is often cheaper if it is in season. I made a printable fruit chart for you that you can take to the store or just refer to when you make your grocery list. It lists the cheapest fruits available for each season. These fruits have a very low price per pound.
Buy Organic (Sometimes!)
I also included information on the pesticide levels of different fruits. Fruits with an asterick beside them are fruits that generally contain more pesticides. These fruits are ones that I buy organically if I can.Of course, sometimes I come across a killer deal on a fruit that does generally contain more pesticides. If the budget is really tight, I buy it anyway and then wash it really well. I have read that this can really reduce the pesticide level. (Different sources disagree on how much pesticide can be removed, but all sources agree that washing the fruit definitely gets rid of a good portion of the pesticides.)
If you want to be as careful as possible follow these steps:
- Soak your produce in apple cider vinegar and water for 15 minutes or more.
- Scrub it with a soft brush under running water.
- If possible, peel the fruit before eating.
Fruit Deals
Food Lion
Walmart
Walmart has a 2 pound bag of organic apples for $2.96 ($1.48 per pound).Did I miss anything? Have you found any other ways to buy healthy cheap fruit? I would love to hear about your finds!
You may also be interested in how I get the best coconut oil price online, or 20 Thrifty Tips and Tricks from a Frugal Stay at Home Mom
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Disclaimer: This post is not medical advice. I am not a doctor or medical professional. I share only from my own experiences and research. Consult your own practitioner before making changes in your diet or supplements.
You may also be interested in the Pros and Cons of Organic Food.
Great tips – I’ve never thought of soaking fruit and veg in apple cider vinegar before! A good idea for when buying it from supermarkets 🙂
Yes, I definitely feel better when I take the time to do that! Sometimes, I just use a little natural dish liquid on items like cucumbers that I am going to peel. But, I do like to use apple cider vinegar when I can.