With the cost of living crisis continuing to pack an almighty punch on our wallets, many New Zealanders are struggling to afford fresh produce as it steadily rises in price.
And with the cost of just one cucumber reaching $5 earlier this year, it's no surprise many families and whanau have been skimping on their five-plus a day amid the ongoing inflation.
But there are several ways we can source our fruit and veg at a reduced cost and without relying on the local supermarket. Of course, having your own vegetable garden is one alternative, but that's not realistic or achievable for everyone.
To help, Consumer New Zealand has shared five tips for saving money on the fresh stuff.
Join your local fruit and vege co-op
Some community groups source fruit and veggies from local suppliers and sell the produce at a heavily discounted price - far cheaper than the supermarket. Food Together is a website with information on co-ops in Aotearoa, or you could start by searching 'fruit and vege co-op near me' to find a local programme.
Buy frozen or canned
Frozen and canned produce is just as good for you as the fresh stuff. Freezing or canning produce, such as snap-frozen peas, frozen berries, or canned pineapple, typically maintains the nutritional value of the food as the produce is packaged quickly after harvesting. Frozen and canned goods are also often a lot cheaper than their fresh counterparts, plus they last for substantially longer - a great way to reduce food waste - and allow you to eat your favourite fruits and veg out of season. Win-win!
When you're buying canned produce, just double-check the ingredients to make sure there's no added sugar or salt.
Buy rejected, 'imperfect' produce
An alarming amount of edible produce goes to waste because it doesn't look 'good enough' for the supermarket shelves. Online initiatives such as Perfectly Imperfect, Misfit Garden or Wonky Box are combatting this issue by selling rejected veggies at affordable prices. Countdown has also introduced The Odd Bunch range with the same idea, meaning you can still have your carrots and peppers, but they may just look a little funky. It's a great way to get bang for your buck.
Buy at your local farmers' market or greengrocer
Typically farmers' markets or greengrocers sell fresh produce at lower prices than the supermarkets as they focus on what's in season and locally available. As a bonus, you'll be supporting agriculture and small businesses in your community. To see what's accessible, try searching 'farmers' market near me' or 'greengrocer near me'. Here (https://www.consumer.org.nz/articles/saving-money-on-produce) you will find information on when your favourite veggies are in season.
It's all about community
Alongside fruit and vege co-ops, you can't beat a good sense of community spirit. You may have access to a community garden in which you can care for a plot and grow produce, even if you live in an apartment or rental. Alternatively, ask around your community on public boards or Facebook forums to find out whether local gardeners have any excess produce that might otherwise go to waste.
Bonus tip: Consumer NZ has your back with some tips on making your produce go the extra mile once it's home. This is a great way to reduce waste and ensure you don't throw your money away.
