Fall - Brussels sprouts, parsnips, sweet potatoes and yams, Swiss chard, turnips.Summer - eggplant, green beans, tomatoes, summer squash, zucchini.Spring - broccoli, artichokes, asparagus.Summer - blackberries, blueberries, cherries, peaches, plums, watermelon.Spring - apricots, avocado, pineapples, strawberries.Purchasing when produce is abundant helps lower the cost and will all but assure the best taste and highest levels of nutrition. And remember: The cheapest groceries are not always the most nutritious consider spending slightly more for foods that are filling and nutrient-dense.įor tips and recommendations for a more economical shopping experience, see below for advice from the experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab.įruit and vegetables are among the groceries with the largest price jumps lately, but you can still find affordable produce by buying seasonally. You're much more likely to make impulse (and unhealthy) purchases if you do, so shop after a meal or grab a healthy snack before heading to the store. The next step is to follow that quintessential shopping advice: Don't go to the grocery store hungry.

Think about what you spend the most on and prioritize finding the best price for those items. Start by identifying the closest supermarkets to you (hello, high gas prices!) and cross check the cost of your favorite items online before you shop. The key to locating cheap groceries is to create a system for shopping, and that begins before you even grab a cart. By prioritizing seasonal items, frozen foods and certain cuts of meat and seafood, shopping strategically can help keep sticker shock to a minimum. One of the best ways to find cheap groceries is to create a budget-friendly, healthy grocery list and stick to it. The price of food has risen 12% over the last year according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and experts say that costs will likely continue to increase. Get to the checkout line of any grocery store these days and you may be shocked to see the amount at the bottom of your receipt.

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