MEAL PLANNING FOR FRUITS AND VEGETABLES On a Budget

No matter how ready you are to incorporate fruits and vegetables, you may have concerns about food costs. The good news is that fruits and vegetables don’t have to break the budget. Look over these costsaving ideas and give some a try.

Choose what’s in season. Purchasing seasonal produce is less expensive than buying the same fruit or vegetable during its off-season. Scan the QR code for what fruits and vegetables are in season throughout the year.

Include canned and frozen produce. Canned and frozen fruits and vegetables are just as nutritious and fresh and often cost less. They last longer and can be handy for a quick-fix meal. Stock up on these products when they are on sale.

Cut costs with coupons and sales. Browse grocery store ads to search for produce that is on sale. Build your weekly menu around these fruits and vegetables.

Stretch the protein. Substitute meat with plant-based proteins such as beans, chickpeas, or legumes. If you don’t want to eliminate meat altogether, try a combination of meat and plant-based protein. For example, add black beans to ground meat when making tacos. This results in extra portions and can reduce the amount of meat used in the meal, saving you extra dollars.

Keep it simple. Pre-cut, pre-washed produce is convenient but often costs much more. You can save money by preparing the produce yourself and will not have to pay extra to have the store do it for you.

Pick long-lasting produce. Some fruits and vegetables stay fresh for longer. This gives you more time to use all your ingredients and avoid food waste. Add cabbage, carrots, bell peppers, celery, potatoes, apples, or oranges to your grocery list.