I’ve been talking about meat prices going up, and most of our fans have also noticed that fresh fruits and vegetables have also gone up. The good news is that you CAN use your freezer in a number of ways to save on fruits and vegetables. 

But first, let’s talk about….

Ways to save on FRESH PRODUCE…

Shop the featured sales – Plan your menu around what is on sale in the sales circular for that week.

Check the organic section – Sometimes the conventionally grown is not on sale, and the organic is. In that instance, organic will be cheaper.

By the bag or by the pound? – When the “by the pound” fruits or veggies are on sale, they can be less per pound than the bags. Do the math and make sure you’re getting the best deal.

Warehouse club stores – Many of your supermarket’s sale prices will be lower than club stores. Bring your supermarket’s circular into the club store and compare before you buy. The difference can be dramatic.  Roma tomatoes were 99 cents a pound on sale at the supermarket, and the club store was $2.29 a pound. So be smart on what you buy!

Farmer’s markets and produce stands – shop the end of the day, and be ready to get discounts or ask for discounts.

Now on to the FREEZER…

When fresh produce is pricey, or out of season, wouldn’t it be nice to have a less expensive alternative in your freezer? Here’s how:

Stock up on frozen vegetable sales – 12 ounce bags of store brand veggies go on sale for $1 each, and name brands on sale with coupons can go for even less. Compare 12 ounces of frozen spinach for $1 to 12 ounces of fresh spinach for as much as $8. I’ll be the first to admit that frozen is not good in all things, but fine for soups, casseroles, omelets and more. If you invest in sales, those frozen veggies will come in handy to augment a few meals on a week when fresh produce is pricey.

Stock up on frozen fruit – Don’t wait until fresh fruit is out of season or expensive. Whenever you see frozen fruit on a great sale, stock up. Then, when fresh fruit is pricey or you want a variety that’s not on sale, you can reach for your freezer to get fruit into your family’s weekly diet. Make smoothies with juice, yogurt or protein drinks. Add to pancakes or oatmeal for breakfast. The possibilities are endless.

Blanch and freeze veggie sales – I reserve this for the most expensive of fresh produce. For instance, let’s talk asparagus again! Asparagus goes for about $4 a pound. But in season, it can drop to $1 a pound. To me, it’s worth it to blanch and freeze that great sale on asparagus!  

It’s really easy, and blanching times are different for all veggies. Here’s how I prep asparagus, and here’s how I freeze the price for months to come:   How to blanch and freeze

Fruit is even easier to freeze – Strawberries: Wash, stem, and throw in a bag! Other berries have different freezing guidelines, but all simple.

When peaches are in season and less than $1 a pound, wash, cut, pit, and toss in sugar. Let sit about 15 minutes, and into the freezer bag.

Here’s a video on freezing fruit, meat, bread, and more from Fox TV in DC

Your deep freezer can help you freeze the price on fruits, veggies and more!