There’s nothing more defeating than trying to cook up your nan's famous veggie casserole and spending an arm on a leg on just the fresh ingredients.
The cost of living crisis has made going to the supermarket a painful task for most of us, so how can we ease the burden of our spending?
By knowing when fruits and veggies are in season - and where to buy them.
A Kiwi shared a reminder on Reddit about the importance of buying in-season fruit and veggies after making an $18 purchase from a stall on the side of the road.
The photos show a bag of apples, an avocado, two cucumbers, carrots, kiwifruits, and tomatoes, proving that eating healthily doesn’t have to break the bank.
Fruits and vegetables are cheaper in different seasons, as the cost of import is far higher and the product is more scarce, making it more expensive during the off-season.
A study by Farmers’ Market New Zealand found that Kiwis can save a whopping 18% by shopping at local stalls and farmers' markets. So while you’re easing the pain on your wallet, you’re also supporting local businesses.
What’s currently in season? Spring fruits include Grapefruit, kiwifruit, lemons, oranges, and strawberries.
The cheapest veggies currently are beetroot, cauliflower, eggplants, leeks, parsnips, rhubarb and silverbeet.
There are certain veggies and fruits you’ll be able to find year-round that won’t hurt your wallet, like bananas, onions, oranges, pineapples, and potatoes.
So before you riot because all your fruit and vegetable options cost you an arm and a leg at the supermarket, try buying in season and locally.
And yes, that might mean postponing your iconic strawberry cake until the summer.
