Fruit and Veg on a Budget

There’s this interesting dilemma when in comes to healthy foods and finances. It’s not a new one by any means but as someone who grew up on a particular side of the income divide it is one I am very much aware of. It is much cheaper to buy smaller amounts of bad food than it is to buy the healthy equivalent. A week’s worth of frozen meals and snacks will often go further than the financial equivalent of fresh produce will. Of course, there are exceptions but generally this is the case. So, what can you do to ensure you get a healthy dose of fruit and veg when on a budget?

Buy Loose

Pre-packaged fruit and vegetables are incredible inefficient; not only do you have no control over how many (making it more difficult to avoid waste) but the plastic itself is incredibly bad for the environment. Buying loose gives you more control over the size, quantity and also a hell of a lot greener.

Better than your supermarket are the more local market stalls or farmers markets. Not only do they bypass the whole pre-package thing, but they tend to let you shop your way and in doing to, you are also supporting the community.

If you are able to, then loose is definitely the best way to go.

Look for Deals

The key to a good supermarket shop, is to do so intelligently. These behemoths lure us in with convenience. Given the stressful and intense nature of modern lives, that isn’t exactly a bad thing. However, it is something to be mindful of on a budget.

Whilst you’re more likely to find bigger savings on the chocolate, biscuits and crisps; there are offers to be found in the fruit and veg aisles. Especially look out for buy one, get one free deals (BOGOF), wonky veg, dried fruit and bulk frozen or tinned of either (no added salt or sugar). All count towards your 5 a day after all.

Seasonal Delight

Supermarkets spoil us when it comes to the availability of certain goods but as we all know fruit and veg is seasonal; few are all year round. So naturally, that comes with a premium attached.

Buying seasonally means you are more likely to support local efforts but it will also save you some money. If you are unsure of what is and isn’t in season right now; the NHS recommends you take a look at Love British Food.

Waste Not, Want Not

We all know that most food is perishable and excessive amounts go to waste every year. Not only is this a major waste financially but we should make an effort where we can to avoid this waste going to landfill too; it’s a major source of greenhouse gasses the world over.

There are a few ways to extend the life of products, the most common is to take odds and ends and add them into casseroles or stews, but this isn’t for me. My favourite ways to avoid waste are mixing leftover fruit or veg into a smoothie or freezing food that is close to the point of expiry to gain some extra time.

Freeze

Speaking of freezing, this is the best way of all to save money on fresh produce. You can either buy it and freeze it right away or split into portions and keep for later. Either way, you can more out of what you’ve bought and what can be better for your fruit and veg budget than making your purchase go further?