Pre-Cut Produce: What’s the Real Cost?

by Sarah

Are you planning to host or attend a party this fall? Fresh produce is usually on the list of items to get prepped for the party. Many items like watermelon, pineapple, cantaloupe, broccoli, carrots, etc. are most likely in a pre-cut package available for purchase at the grocery store. These pre-cut items already in serving trays can be very convenient when in a time crunch, but they may be draining your wallet a little more than expected.

Many pre-cut produce trays end up costing an average of $2.00-$6.00 more per pound than if we had just purchased and cut the items ourselves. I have often found that the produce doesn’t taste as fresh as if someone had prepared it themselves either. By no means am I saying that you can NEVER buy pre-cut produce again! The struggle really comes down to whether or not you want to buy a convenience item due to limited time, or take some time to prep in order to save a little moola.  Yes, buying the individual items ourselves requires us to prep them, but you can usually get more bang for your buck if you go this route.

A few tricks that I use when trying to make my own produce tray include:

  • Keep an eye out for items on sale. For example, I purchased a cantaloupe for around $2.00 which is cheaper than the pre-cut version, tastes better, and goes a little further with my own chopping skills because I can make the pieces whatever size I want.
  • Don’t have a fancy tray to put your items on? Look no further than the dollar store! If I am able to plan ahead I can make a pit stop at one of the dollar stores to get a tray (which may even look better than the one at the grocery store!).
  • Plan, plan, and PLAN! Being a planner helps me to make the most of my shopping time, and I don’t buy too much of something that will eventually spoil.

Will you be buying pre-cut produce, or building your own colorful tray? Share a comment below!

Be Well,

Sarah.

 


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