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Wouldn’t you love to know what’s on sale and in season at the grocery store? Buying fresh in-season produce and on-sale, loss leader products could save you hundreds a year in grocery expenses – especially if you have a big family and are trying to stick to a tight budget. Let’s be honest. Most of us would love to save as much as possible.
There are more reasons than just saving money why you should eat in season. It’s much more self-reliant, it reduces the distance your food has to travel before it gets to your local store, plus, nature tends to provide what your body needs and when it needs it. Don’t believe me? Daisy Luther goes into much more detail in her article here.
What’s On Sale and In Season
As well, a lot of people don’t realize that every month of the year, certain things go on sale that can be used to build your pantry of food. So before your shopping trip, check this calendar and see what deals you can get! So, without further ado, let’s get into it so you can see what’s best to buy when!
*Some fantastic fruits and veggies may have a longer growing season that spans multiple months, while others just one. I’ll make sure to list everything, though.
January
Okay, so, if you’re like me, you’re not a farmer and had no clue that there was produce still growing this time of year, let alone what’s in season. Surprisingly, there is actually a fair amount of things in season right now, including a few veggies I love and eat regularly.
What’s in Season
- Beets
- Broccoli (If I had to pick a favorite vegetable, it would be broccoli. Heck, I even put it on my pizza!)
- Brussel Sprouts
- Cabbage (Not sure what to do with cabbage? Check out some of my go-to cabbage recipes here.)
- Carrots
- Cauliflower
- Celeriac
- Kale
- Onions (Onions are so versatile, there is rarely a meal I make without some type. As I’m writing this, I’m eating a salad with two different types of onion. Needless to say, it’s a favorite of mine.)
- Parsnip (most people don’t know what to do with parsnip – I find it’s great as a roasted veggie, or in stews and soups. It’s like a slightly sweeter white carrot)
- Potatoes
- Rutabagas
- Sweet Potatoes and Yams
- Turnips
- Winter Squash
What’s On Sale
Lots of after-Christmas and post-NYE party specials can be found in early January. Think of anything that can be found on a fruit or veggie platter.
- Avocados (Did someone say guacamole? Make it, portion it, and freeze it.)
- Celery (Dehydrate and use in soups and casseroles)
- Kiwi (Kiwi doesn’t really can well, but it’s a great fruit to dehydrate!)
- Apples
- Citrus
- Cruciferous Vegetables
- Christmas Candy
- New Year’s Eve frozen hors d’oeuvres
February
While last month had a lot of vegetables, we’re finally starting to see a bit of fruit peaking into the mix. Most of this month’s fruit has a higher amount of vitamin C, which is great if you’re like me and tend to suffer a February cold. Getting lots of the good ol’ “C” is bound to help keep those germs away.
What’s in Season
- Bananas
- Beets
- Cabbage
- Grapefruit
- Leeks
- Lemons
- Mushrooms
- Onions
- Oranges
- Potatoes
- Rutabagas
- Sweet Potatoes and Yams
- Tangerines
- Turnips
- Winter Squash
What’s On Sale
- Canned Food
- Chocolate (After Valentines Day)
- Superbowl Party Supplies
March
Finally, the snow is melting, and people are starting the prep work for their home gardens. It also means a wider variety of local fresh produce is beginning to become available.
What’s in Season
- Asparagus (One of my all-time favorites)
- Bananas
- Beets
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Lettuce
- Mangos
- Mushrooms
- Onions and Leeks
- Peas
- Pineapple
- Rhubarb
- Spinach
- Strawberries (Yum, nothing like freshly picked strawberries)
What’s On Sale
- Frozen food
- Easter-related food (Think ham, eggs, candy, etc.)
April
The flowers are blooming, the grass is green and growing, and it’s fun just to start getting outside now that it’s not freezing anymore. It’s also a good sign for the produce. This month, there’s a ton of fresh and light fruit and veggies that will fill you with almost every sort of vitamin you might need.
What’s in Season
- Apricots
- Asparagus
- Bananas
- Beets
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Green Beans
- Lettuce
- Mangos
- Mushrooms
- Onions and Leeks
- Peas
- Pineapple
- Radishes
- Rhubarb
- Spinach
- Strawberries
What’s On Sale
- Candy
May
While many of this month’s items were also available, probably my most favorite food item is getting ready to be in season. May is also when you might start seeing some real growth in your home garden for things like lettuce.
What’s in Season
- Asparagus
- Bananas
- GARLIC! (Sorry, I couldn’t help it. The excitement of garlic deserved all caps in my eyes. Remember how I said I use onions all the time? I think I use garlic even more. My best tip is to buy in bulk when it’s in season, chop it in a food processor, and store it in the freezer, just taking out little bits as you need it for cooking. This way, the garlic stays fresh and is always ready in a pinch.)
- Green Beans
- Lettuce
- Mangos
- Mushrooms
- Onions and Leeks
- Peas
- Pineapple
- Radishes
- Rhubarb
- Small Baby Potatoes
- Spinach (a great source of extra plant-based protein and other nutrients)
- Strawberries
What’s On Sale
- Mexican Food (Cinco de Mayo)
- Grilling Food and Supplies
June
I’m practically overwhelmed with the deliciousness and colors of my summer produce. It’s a great time to start eating the rainbow. Not sure what that means? Eating the rainbow is when you consume many different colors of fruits and vegetables. Each color tends to have different vitamins and nutrients. When you eat more colors, you tend to have better health, and it’s much more fun and tasty.
What’s in Season
- Apricots
- Bell Peppers
- Blackberries
- Blueberries
- Cantaloupe
- Cherries
- Corn
- Cucumber
- Eggplant
- Garlic
- Grapes
- Green Beans
- Honeydew Melon
- Lima Beans
- Peaches
- Peas
- Plums
- Raspberries
- Summer Squash and Zucchini
- Tomatoes
- Watermelon
What’s On Sale
- Picnic Items
- Grills and related accessories
July & August
I think these two months probably have the widest variety of fresh produce in season that you’ll find! While every other month has its own list, July and August have the same things in season, so I thought I’d combined it into one.
Don’t forget, if you’ve got a little extra in your budget, now is also the perfect time to stock up on some extras and preserve them, be it by way of freezing, jams, canning, or even pickling!
What’s in Season
- Apricots
- Bananas
- Basil
- Beets
- Bell Peppers
- Blackberries
- Blueberries
- Cantaloupe
- Cherries
- Corn
- Cucumber
- Eggplant
- Garlic
- Grapes
- Grapefruit
- Green Beans
- Honeydew Melon
- Kiwi
- Lima Beans
- Mushrooms
- Peaches (Nothing like a hot summer day with a bowl full of fresh peaches and vanilla ice cream.)
- Peas
- Plums
- Radishes
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
- Summer Squash and Zucchini
- Tomatoes
- Watermelon
What’s On Sale
- Canning Supplies
- Grills and grilling accessories
September
As fall creeps in, with it comes a new list of in-season fruits and vegetables. It also makes for a great time to start some fall activities with the family! Fall is also the time to start prepping your garden for winter so it’ll be ready to go next spring.
What’s in Season
- Apples (Try going apple picking! One of my favorite activities this time of year is apple picking. The apples taste so fresh right off the trees. And don’t worry about picking too many. Fresh apples from the orchard can easily stay fresh for a month or two, unlike the ones at the grocery store.)
- Broccoli
- Brussel Sprouts
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Celery Root
- Cranberries (This is a great time to buy some extras to freeze and save for the holiday season when the price gets jacked up.)
- Cucumbers
- Dates
- Fennel
- Grapes
- Green Beans
- Iceberg Lettuce
- Leaf Lettuce
- Mushrooms
- Nuts
- Okra
- Tomatoes
What’s On Sale
- School Snacks (think pudding cups, granola bars, juice boxes, etc.)
October
We are deep in the throes of fall now. Lots of fresh apples, pumpkins, and don’t forget Halloween! In October, we also start to see some of the winter vegetables we saw at the beginning of the year.
What’s in Season
- Apples
- Bananas
- Beets
- Broccoli
- Brussel Sprouts
- Carrots
- Cauliflower
- Cranberries
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Grapes
- Mushrooms
- Parsnips
- Pears
- Pineapple
- Pumpkins
- Sweet Potatoes and Yams
- Winter Squash
What’s On Sale
- Grills and grilling supplies
- Plants
- Seeds
November & December
The year is finally coming to an end, and the winter vegetables are back in full force. These are going to be some great and affordable veggies to serve during your holiday meals.
What’s in Season
- Bananas
- Grapefruit
- Leeks
- Lemons
- Mushrooms
- Onions
- Oranges
- Parsnips
- Potatoes
- Rutabagas
- Sweet Potatoes and Yams
- Turnips
- Winter Squash
What’s On Sale | November
- Candy (After Halloween)
- Baking items (Baking powder, baking soda, cornmeal, flour, white sugar, brown sugar, powdered sugar, Bisquik, cake/brownie/cookie mixes, canned frostings, etc.)
- Peanut Butter
- Holiday Food (gravy, gravy mixes, seasoning packets, broth, Stove Top Stuffing, cornbread mixes, dried onions, canned pumpkin)
- Turkey (The best deals are the week before and the week after Thanksgiving
What’s On Sale | December
- Cookies
- Crackers
- Dips
- Sour Cream
- Butter
- Cold Cuts
- Soft Drinks
- Stuffing Mix
- Potato Mix
- Cornbread Mix
- Potatoes
- Candy Making Items (chocolate chips, sprinkles, vanilla, corn syrup, nuts, evaporated milk, marshmallows, etc.)
- Baking Items (Baking powder, baking soda, cornmeal, flour, white sugar, brown sugar, powdered sugar, Bisquik, cake/brownie/cookie mixes, canned frostings, pie crusts, etc.)
- Holiday Foods (gravy, gravy mixes, seasoning packets, broth, canned, dried onions, cranberry, and canned pumpkin)
- Ham
- Frozen Potatoes, Pies, Whipped Topping, and Vegetables
Do you shop on sale and in season?
What are your favorite fruits and veggies of the season? Do you stock up when things go on sale? Do you have other ways of saving on groceries throughout the year? Share your favorites and tips with us and other readers in the comments section.
6 thoughts on “What’s On Sale and In Season at the Grocery Store Every Month of the Year”
i don’t know where you are, but i know of no place that has apricots fresh from april thru august. same with a few other things on the lists. maybe you mean you can get them. but if they are trucked from far away they were picked green and gassed to “ripeness”. no much like tree ripened. green picking reduced the nutritional value of the produce. really local might mean the farmers market or a csa or u-pick operations (that’s the cheapest). best quality, good price. freeze, can, dehydrate what you can’t eat fresh.
Really, Grammy Em? With all of the fruits and veggies that she listed you’re going to trash her about apricots? How about YOU doing the research and writing your own article? Shame on you. I found the article thorough and extremely helpful.
I would agree with that comment. What’s in season is highly dependent upon one’s location. In my location, the only thing I’m getting fresh and in season in January is snow. LOL
That being said, these principles do apply well with just a touch of adjustment. I buy lots of food at the farmer’s market and through my CSA during the growing season and preserve it myself for winter. In many cases this is actually cheaper than buying frozen or processed, and it’s much healthier in the case of processed. Also, buying goods other than food when it’s on sale is definitely the way to go! I buy everything from tin foil to trash bags in bulk when they’re on sale, and it saves me a ton of money! Added bonus that I don’t have to go out when it’s snowing, blowing, and 30 below because I ran out of something important. Yay!
Of note: “We are deep in the throws of fall now” should read “throes of fall now.” A throe is a spasm, as in Fall is busting out all over.
(Not intending to offend. I’ve been a technical writer for 35 years.)
Whoops! 3 of us missed that! Thank you 🙂
Bookmarked and plan to copy this out and use it for planning future shopping trips and my own garden.
To save money, I usually shop the sales and buy in bulk to save some for later. If I buy meat, I try to get something that will be used for multiple meals, like a roasting chicken for hot dinners (2 days for 2 people), sandwiches (2/2), casserole (2/2), and soup (3 or 4 days for two people). Meat on the bone and whole chickens or turkeys are often cheaper per pound than a cut up bird or package of boneless breasts or chops and the roasted bones make great bone broth. Fat can be rendered and refined and used for cooking.