Australian shoppers' crafty hack to save at the supermarket

In a viral TikTok video, a woman shares the desperate measures Aussies are taking to save on broccoli.
In a viral TikTok video, a woman shares the desperate measures Aussies are taking to save on broccoli. Photo credit: Getty Images

New Zealanders aren't the only ones feeling the cost of living pinch - high food prices in Australia are driving some to adopt a crafty hack to save a few extra bucks at the supermarket checkouts.

In a viral TikTok video viewed almost 400,000 times, a woman shares the desperate measures Aussies are taking to save on broccoli.

Melbourne woman Jen Shaw shared in the video that broccolis are currently a whopping AU$11.90 per kilogram, which has caused some shoppers to cut off their stalks and leave them behind.

"Shoppers are leaving stalks on the shelves," she wrote.

Australian shoppers' crafty hack to save at the supermarket
Photo credit: TikTok/JennShaw

Many people in the comment section shared their delight with the cost-saving strategy.

"I always break mine off as it weighs less and cost less," one person commented.

"Love this idea!" Another person said.

However, some supermarkets have caught on to the hack with a couple of people claiming their grocer has signs warning shoppers that they will pay double the price if they cut off the stalk.

"I went to a fruit & veg shop yesterday & they had a sign saying double the price if no stalk attached," one person said.

The Australian supermarket giant Coles told news.com.au they were disappointed by the hack. 

"It's disappointing to hear a small number of customers have removed the stalks from broccoli in our stores as the entire vegetable is edible and full of nutritional value," a spokesperson told the outlet.

But Shaw is making sure the stalks aren't going to waste, showing people that the stalks can be used in cooking.

Broccoli stems are just as nutritious as the head and can be used in a variety of dishes including soups, stirfries and salads. One person commented on the video that they even like to eat them raw.

"I like the stalks raw, they're sweeter and juicer than the florets."

But unfortunately for Kiwis, the hot tip won't help save any money at the supermarkets since broccolis are priced by the piece rather than by weight.