The Chef’s Answer

This is a great question. In the winter, vegetables tend to be more expensive because they are not in season. However, if you have an open mind going into the market, you can save tons and eat cheap. Shop for the sales. Instead of planning a menu then going to the store, see first what is on sale and then create your menu from the sale items. You can take your cookbook with you and find recipes that use the veggies that are on sale and plan your menu that way. You can also shop manager’s specials and look for coupons. In our house, there are no fruit and veggie “staples” during the winter months, like there is during the summer and fall. One example is that for several weeks we ate clementines, clementines, clementines, because they were so inexpensive, then last week we found pineapples for $ .99 each, and we bought 7. This week blueberries are on sale, so guess what we have in our fridge now. If you are willing to be flexible and eat the fruits and vegetables that are on sale, you can cut your grocery bill even during the winter months.