Why is this produce so cheap?

[PunkRotten]

Hi,

For the last few months I have been going a little over my food budget. So I really need to start making better buying choices. The other day I was in whole foods and buying about 15 packages of frozen fruit for smoothies for the whole month. Usually costs about $40-$45. A guy next to me says "Making smoothies?" Then he tells me about some place you can buy in bulk like 40 lbs for $10. I don't know if that is right. But anyway, I was looking at some papers of these mexican/latin stores I have in town.

I am seeing things like:
4 lbs bananas for 99 cents
3 mangos for $1
5 lbs oranges for $1
5 bunches cilantro 99 cents
4lbs vine tomatoes 99 cents


These are good prices. But I wonder how can they be so cheap? I know they are not organic, but how come at these mexican/latin stores their produce is so much cheaper? Do you guys ever buy form stores like these and do you trust it?

[vegetize]

The best I can tell you is that there is no overhead. Usually with a chain store the management has to look at wages, insurance... basically expenses that a smaller store can avoid with family or "not on the books" sort of labor. I'm not saying every store has this sort of money distribution, I'm just offering a possibility.

Plus, you live in S. California, where produce is in abundance. That might reflect the cost also. I've heard of cheap coconuts by the case, but I've never seen them this far north (in W. Pennsylvania).

[PunkRotten]

I am just a lazy shopper sometimes. I spend more because it's more convenient for me. But I don't wanna be lazy anymore cause I go over my food budget. I also have not been to any farmers markets and I know I should go to them. But I am really thinking about going to these Mexican stores near my house these prices are great. Just wondering about the price.

[zinny]

I think you should be suspicious of why Whole Foods charges so much for produce that often looks good but doesn't have much taste.

[vegetize]

Whole paycheck!

[Aleesha Sattva]

i always support my little markets instead of chain stores... i get great deals and they stay in business. a win-win situation IMO

[rawlight]

Hi,
These are good prices. But I wonder how can they be so cheap? I know they are not organic, but how come at these mexican/latin stores their produce is so much cheaper? Do you guys ever buy form stores like these and do you trust it?

I'm with Aleesha about supporting small and local stores. And if you have concerns, talk to the manager or owners. Ask them about their merchandise...

[dairine2003]

I also live in So Cal. I frequently shop at Vallarta's and Food 4 Less and another smaller mexican style grocery store. The produce there is not organic, like you said, but it is very inexpensive.

Food4Less is owned by the same people who own Ralphs. They send their less than perfect looking produce to the store. When you shop there, it's not a "pretty" store (unfinished floors, not such beautiful displays, etc.) You also frequently have to bag your own groceries. The produce is good. They are not picture perfect, but they are just fine to eat! You can also find some harder to find ethnic items, but if you are looking for something that is out of season, you might have to go to the more expensive chain stores where they get smaller shipments from chile or somewhere similar.

S

[PunkRotten]

Yep Vallarta is one of the stores I am talking about. The other is called payless foods and is a very similar store. Yes I have also heard of food for less, they have one right across the street from a Ralphs over here. I only buy organic on a few foods like apples, spinach, berries, bell peppers etc. But for the other stuff I don't mind not buying organic. I love making my own salsa and using vine tomatoes. But when I buy from whole foods it can be like $7 just for the tomatoes alone. And that's like 5 tomatoes. Ridiculous.

[YouHadMeAtASL]

I will be hitting up Portland's Saturday Market for the first time this Saturday, which is kind of sad since I've lived here for most of my life! But anyways, I will be looking to pick up some awesome produce from local farmers.

[DebB]

I will be hitting up Portland's Saturday Market for the first time this Saturday, which is kind of sad since I've lived here for most of my life! But anyways, I will be looking to pick up some awesome produce from local farmers.

Wow - color me envious! We're 4 hours east in WA and our farmer's markets closed almost 2 months ago (sigh). Lucky you! *Ü*

[margoss]

Our Hispanic stores are similar. One of high end grocery stores has a marked down sections daily.

[sidrah]

That's where I buy- Oriental and Hispanic markets. This week, most places had cucumbers for 49 cents and the store you are talking about had cucumbers 8 for a dollar.

The thing I have noticed is that yes, the store is not as pretty, but who cares? Cheaper produce and more of a different variety since it caters to people used to a different kind of selection. I find lots of different vegtables, especially squashes and kinds of chiles. I always get avocado for 2 for a dollar or less, which is great since I love them. It is the only place I can find frozen durian and jackfruit and they have about 4 kinds of papaya already shredded and cheap bean sprouts. Plus, I can usually find someone in the store shopping who can tell me about whatever fruit it is comes from thier country and how they eat it.

In my experience, the food is not going to last as long and is almost ready to use that day or within a day or two of buying it. But, I am fine making some extra trips on my way home so I know what I will need when and nohting really sits around going bad. It's fun to look around if nothing else.

[AdrianaH]

YOu're lucky to be there... Enjoy it while you can.... I did too, but Not as much as I should've.....:o
now I wish I was back there... but I know I'll be back there some day...:rolleyes: ans I'll take much asvantage of it...