I decided this week would be a no “real” shopping week and just grab a produce basket from a local Produce Co-Op that we participate in.

A key way to save on produce is to get out of the grocery store and buy items in bulk directly from the farmers market.  Most of us can’t handle a 25 lb box of tomatoes though, so join or create a co-op.  Columbia has a great co-op started by sweet ladies that wanted to save money.  Twice a month folks that want to participate that week submit their $22 and then they pool all that money to buy whatever they can get good prices on at the farmers market.

Generally buying in bulk will beat the grocery store price by 50% or more on every item!

You can see in the video above everything that ended up in my “basket”.  My laundry basket was so full I could barely carry it inside!

Some idea on farmers market bulk prices:

Tomatoes – 40¢ per lb
Cantaloupe – $1 ea.
Bananas – 45¢ lb
Sweet Potatoes – 35¢ lb
White Potatoes – $1.60 for 5 lb bag
Cabbage – 24¢ lb
Tangelos – 25¢ ea.

I would encourage you to join a co-op or start your own.

How was your savings this week?  Leave a comment or head to our facebook page and leave a picture!