Often when we are able to find some of our out-of-season favorite fruits and vegetables during the winter months they are quite expensive but there is a way to shop cost-effectively and reap the benefits of fresh produce.

Get to know and buy seasonal produce
Fruits:
Oranges, grapefruits, tangerines, clementine, papaya, etc are at their peak in the winter months.

Vegetables:
Try winter squash, sweet potatoes, dark leafy greens like kale, Brussels sprouts, broccoli,  and collards just to mention a few

 Shop at your local farmers’ market

Gather up the family and make it a regular outing to visit many of the neighborhood local Farmer’s Market. or food co-ops open year around where you can find good deals on produce. 

Also, consider joining a local harvest group where you purchase a membership share in a farmer’s harvest weekly to receive seasonal produce and/or meat or poultry, from that farm.  It is a great way to try new foods as well.

Grow Your Own Herbs Indoors

Perennial herbs such as basil, rosemary, sage, thyme, etc. are some of the best herbs to grow indoors during the winter. Purchase starter plants at your local supermarket or farmers’ market.  Position them near a sun-filled window in a well-insulated room and water them regularly without over watering them.  This is a real treat during the winter.

Alternatively… Stock Your Freezer
Freeze your favorites
You’ll find that fruits and vegetables are less expensive when in season. Buy on sale, cut them up and freeze produce in season. For example berries: wash and prepare the berries as you like, place them on a cookie sheet in a single layer and place it in the freezer.   When frozen place them into a container of zip lock bag.  This is an economical and delicious way to stock up on berries and other produce.
Visit the frozen-food aisle
Alternatively purchase frozen produce.   Since the item is frozen when it is harvested some nutrients are better preserved in frozen vs fresh.  Additionally, frozen produce can be a real time saver because it does not require added preparation. Watch for specials, stock your freezer and always have your favorite produce readily available no matter what the season.

We look forward to you sharing your suggestions on how to enjoy fresh produce throughout the winter.