Cases of Fruit/Veggies?

[cadelmcg]

Hi, Guys! Its ME! (again),

I had recently inquired about grocery shopping on RAW and a lot of people suggested inquiring about buying cases of fruits/veggies. I went to my local healthfood store and spoke with the owner/manager about buying cases of several items and looking into the cost. He just got back to me. Some of them are horrendous and others reasonable. Since I am not seasoned in this.. I don't know if I should just buy somethings a little bit at a time... or what is most commonly used? I know everyone uses things differently and at a different pace. I wanted everyones input on what they use the most.. the only thing I know that I may get a case of is bananas for smoothies and such. I also don't want my produce going bad.. but then again... It will be all I am eating. Then all of the little things like all of the supplements/flavorings I have noticed everyone putting in everything..and I don't want to waste my money on something I won't like.. I think I am THINKING TOO MUCH..and making this harder than I am supposed to. I have been doing hours and HOURS of research to make sure I am making the right decision and money wise I will be able to afford it. Help? Comfort? Please? :-/

THANKS MUCH!

[RawKnitster]

Research is good! Experimentation is better. I would suggest not buying large quantities of anything in a case until you figure out how much you use.

Bananas can be frozen. I wait until there are lots of brown spots, then peel, break in half and freeze in a freezer bag. They don't stay nice very long. I prefer to use them within a week of freezing.

Another reason not to buy too much of one item, you may get tired of it. Find out what you really like, first.

If you think you are thinking too much, you could be right. ;) Don't worry. :)

[Raw.N.It.Out]

Hi, Guys! Its ME! (again),

I had recently inquired about grocery shopping on RAW and a lot of people suggested inquiring about buying cases of fruits/veggies. I went to my local healthfood store and spoke with the owner/manager about buying cases of several items and looking into the cost. He just got back to me. Some of them are horrendous and others reasonable. Since I am not seasoned in this.. I don't know if I should just buy somethings a little bit at a time... or what is most commonly used? I know everyone uses things differently and at a different pace. I wanted everyones input on what they use the most.. the only thing I know that I may get a case of is bananas for smoothies and such. I also don't want my produce going bad.. but then again... It will be all I am eating. Then all of the little things like all of the supplements/flavorings I have noticed everyone putting in everything..and I don't want to waste my money on something I won't like.. I think I am THINKING TOO MUCH..and making this harder than I am supposed to. I have been doing hours and HOURS of research to make sure I am making the right decision and money wise I will be able to afford it. Help? Comfort? Please? :-/

THANKS MUCH!

lol, You sound EXACTLY like moi!! ;) I didn't know that we can freeze stuff, but I see it is allowed, or however one wants to put it.

When I can, I buy what I know I need the most of, & I also freeze it. For instance, I buy Cauliflower/Broccoli Bunches, Pomegranates, cherries, & cut up the veggies place them in ziploc baggies & put them in the freezer. I pit my cherries (the amount I know I'd like to last for 2-3 weeks, bag & freeze them) A couple of weeks ago, Pom's were on sale, & I bought about 10, seeded them all that day, & froze them. :) I buy big bags of Spinach, & once it's opened, I take it all out of the bag, so moisture cannot get in, & place them in tupperware containers.

I also type up grocery lists, so when I do my weekly meal plans, I can pop up that page on my mac, & put together meals. I than know how much I have left of particular items, & what I want to get next. I am just nerdy like this. It's kind of a hobby of mine!! :D

I am sure you will get it figured out after playing around with it after a bit.

Take Care :)

[DeniseM]

How long ago did you switch to a raw diet? If it was pretty recently, you might want to wait a while as you settle into an eating routine and discover which foods become your "staples." That will give you a better idea of which foods to buy in bulk. You can't go wrong with bananas though :)

The only downside of buying cases is that you can't pick out the fruits or veggies piece by piece -- the store just loads up a box for you (at least that's been my experience). I don't buy in cases any more because so much of the produce I got was inedible (molding, over-ripe, never ripening, picked premature, went bad too fast... etc.). I save more money now by purchasing what's on sale and shopping in multiple places.

[streetsurfer]

If you have a Whole Foods nearby, and probably many other health food or specialty grocery stores, you can buy the supplemental/herbal side of things from a section where they have them in bulk jars. You could try a spoonful or an ounce to see if it helps or you like it. Then find other sources for larger quantities.

Have you looked at community supported agriculture for your produce. Search for a CSA program in your area.

[DebB]

I buy Young Thai coconuts by the case - but that's just 9 of them. I get 1 case every week through our local Asian market for just under $12.00

I'm trying to think what else I would eat up fast enough that I could buy a case. I can't think of anything to be honest... (that wouldn't have to be frozen like bananas).

Right now I go to the store about every 2-4 days and buy what I use up in a couple days. *Ü*

[Revvell]

We purchase coconuts by the case for $8 and oranges ~ 4-5 at a time for $5-$6 per case. I purchased 25#'s of macadamias. Other than that, can't see the purpose as food goes bad so quickly.

[rawviveyourself]

*IF* you have the time - why not ask the produce mgr. to keep your number in the event that they over order or have things they need to get rid of fast - that helps them and they will often just sell at cost to move it, if you have a good relationship with them. That means you have to think on your feet quickly when you suddenly find yourself with a case of bananas or whatever that have about one day left in them. This group can often help if you need recipe ideas on what do to with bulk ________.

If you don't feel like committing to that with your produce mgr, do you have local veg co-ops? I used to run one from my house and you could always order an extra case of whatever - carrots, oranges, etc. Or you could find someone to split a CSA share with until you get your bearings.

Google the local agriculture situation in your area. Sites like www.localharvest.org can give you ideas on how to get the best bang for your buck.

Good luck!

[cadelmcg]

I contacted our local healthfood store as they sell certified organic produce and he was giving me ridiculous prices for cases of produce. Its hard in this area to find produce cheap this time of year as its upstate ny (by the great lakes) in feb. Nothing is in season here at this time of year haha. Once the farmers markets open up mid spring/summer produce is of course much cheaper. I will have to look into a Co-op theres a few around here not close though. I have not ever been into one. I didn't realize they sold produce.