by Laura Hinds

Created on: June 04, 2009

As with almost all commodities the price of fresh produce has sky rocketed in recent years. Yet we know we need fresh fruits and vegetables to keep healthy. Prices will vary from region to region and from store to store. Watch your local stores sale flyers, plan your meals, and calculate how much you need of each item to feed your family. For example, one head of broccoli should be good for two or three people. Yet four or more will need too. Include the cost of leftovers that you can use soon in figuring your produce budget.

Fortunately, despite inflation, there are things you can to so you can buy produce and still save some money.

One trick is to head straight for the produce mark-down rack at your local grocery store first thing in the morning. This is when they have just moved yesterdays "regular price" food in order to make room for the new stock. Buy only what you can use the same day. You still get good nutrition and you save money to boot.

How you select your produce is very important too. Here are some tips for specific items:

Green Beans: Hold a bean between your finger and thumb and slightly exert pressure to bend . If it is fresh it will snap into pieces rather than just bending.

Cauliflower: Pull back leaves and look at the florets to make certain that there are no insectsor brown spots. They should be nice and white.

Lettuce: There are many varieties of lettuce and all should be crisp and green hued.You might find yellow or brown leaves, indicating it is not 100% fresh, but the inner leaves may still be just fine. Use your judgment.

For other vegetables, like broccoli, cabbage, peppers and cucumbers select by size and shape. Buy only the amount you will cook and use soon, and as long as they are uniformly shaped they should cook nice and evenly.

Many vegetables, particularly garlic and onions can be stored for long periods of time, so if you find a sale, that's the time buy extra. Carrots will also last well and you can keep them in the produce bin of your refrigerator for three or four months. Celery doesn't fit into this category, but you can bring it back to life should it get wilted. Just put it in a bowl of ice water and add a little lemon juice. Soak for one hour, and your celery is as good as new. Tasty too with the lemon juice added.

Fruits should generally be eaten within a few days of purchase. Bananas will last longer if they are quite firm when you buy them. Apples last too. Melons, berries and grapes taste best when fresh, but you can also buy in quantity and freeze them for future use.

One final tip- if you do find a great price on bananas and want to stock up, they too can be frozen for later! Freeze them whole, in their skins and wrapped in plastic wrap. They'll be good for up to six months. You can enjoy them frozen, mash them up, or use them in baking! Yum!

Enjoy!

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