Fruit & Veggies- Costco or Trader Joes?

SweetMegz04

Hi all!
I am wondering- what is a good place to stock up weekly with affordable prices?
I know trader joe's is good with Veggies/Fruits cause they go by item cost and not per pound.. but Costco is in bulk.

Where would you go?

_John_

whatever's cheaper in the quantity that you'll use before they spoil...

BarbieAS

Honestly, I've never been impressed with the quality of either of their produce. I tend to avoid both, even though I regularly shop at both places. In the winter (when farmers' markets are out of season up here in the northern Midwest) I just get all my produce at my local grocery store. If you stick to what's in season you'll get much better pricing.

jlshea

I love the Costco fresh veggie tray that comes with low fat/fat free dip. Also love their kale salad mix.

I've had luck with Aldi even for cheap veggies/fruit.

Its hit and miss in the winter months in the midwest.

SweetMegz04

There is an Aldi close to me too! Hmmmm
and yes, I know what you all mean by the choice of produce- I think it depends on the items etc.

I am going to begin Juicing in the mornings and want to do a bulk shop to last for three days of juice on the go.
So I guess it's just the cost up front more so than longevity of the items purchased..

CTcutie

I'm on the East coast... If you going to eat or share (or freeze) bananas, then Costco, for sure! (Trader Joe's bananas go bad in a day or two for me).

Costco: fresh raspberries/any kind of berries (they stay fresh much longer than TJ's, but I always eat them all up super fast!), frozen fruit (cherries right now!), pears, pre-cut (packaged) apple slices, blood oranges, clementines, whole or pre-cut pineapple... all good quality!


Trader Joes: Apples, oranges, grapes, apple slices in a bag. Frozen fruit in small bags is generally cheap, but you are getting a small quantity, too. There is one type of frozen blueberry that I do NOT like (I think they were the bigger berries I did not like; the tiny boreal blueberries I like better- have more flavor??)

neanderthin

Honestly, I've never been impressed with the quality of either of their produce. I tend to avoid both, even though I regularly shop at both places. In the winter (when farmers' markets are out of season up here in the northern Midwest) I just get all my produce at my local grocery store. If you stick to what's in season you'll get much better pricing.

Costco's fruit and vegetables look nice though........which can be deceiving for sure. I don't buy those products from there either for similar reason. Meat and cheese is a different story altogether.

FancyPantsFran

I've had good luck at Trader Joes Its just like any store you have watch the dates on packages and pick the freshest. Good Luck

extra_medium

It might just be my area, but I find most Trader Joe's have good produce prices but stuff is right near expiration most of the time. I've had lettuce turn brown even if the date on the bag says it should be fine for a few more days. When I know I'll eat it quick I'll buy it at TJs, but otherwise I don't buy much produce there.

Ready2Rock206

I swear Trader Joe's fruits & veggies turn to mold the second I leave the store and put them in my car.

I usually have good luck at Costco as far as fruits and veggies go.

LexiMelo

Trader Joe's has the worst produce, which is unfortunate because I love all the rest of their food!

Are there any farm stands near you? A lot of times that can be the best and cheapest place to get produce.

knittnponder

I buy the organic baby spinach Costco sells and throw them in the freezer for my smoothies. I bulk shop once a month so I buy nine of them. The other produce it depends on my local grocery store sales and the quality and condition of the produce. Bananas, onions, potatoes and oranges are usually pretty good in my area. Sometimes I'll get fresh brussel sprouts but this week they're on sale at a grocery store for less than Costco has them for.