If you’ve ever asked yourself: “How can I save money at a produce stand near me?” you are in luck. Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce is more than you could hope for.

Breaking away from processed and packed foods and switching to local fruits and vegetables is a healthy choice. Contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t have to cost more to make this change. There are plenty of ways to invest in fresh, local produce at low prices.

Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce offer the freshness and quality of a produce stand with the convenience of a 24-hour store.

We make it as easy as possible for you and your family to eat healthy. Follow these tips and you will never have to ask “How can I save money at a produce stand near me?” again!

Think “Local Produce Stand Near Me” Instead of Big Chains

There are local produce stands and local farmer’s markets all around you. During most of the year, that is. Living in the Pacific Northwest means that we have to do our shopping indoors once Fall and Winter roll around.

Every year, local stands become more and more popular. Many people have been making the switch to shopping locally for their produce. Shopping for local produce is a great way to find some amazing deals that you would never be able to find in a larger chain grocery store.

Buy According to the Season

When you purchase produce that’s in-season, you will find that it’s more affordable. You’ll also find that it often tastes better; because that particular item was picked and sold at its peak. An added health benefit to eating fruit in season is that it often contains more nutrients than the same product in the off-season.

Expect to see deals and sales on in-season produce because of the quantity and quality produced.

Freeze / Preserve What You Don’t Eat!

One sure way to save some money is to preserve your produce right after purchasing it. This is a great way to take advantage of in-season pricing! Buy what you can afford, eat what you need, then preserve or freeze the rest.

Freezing Produce

There are different methods that work well for each type of fruit or vegetable.

Some of the best fruits and vegetables for freezing are:

• Kale
• Corn
• Berries
• Peaches
• Avocados

Think of this process as an investment. Plan ahead and bulk up/preserve what produce you use most.

Preserves

You may love some delicious jam on your toast in the morning, or pickles with your sandwich for lunch. At one time these tasty treats were a necessity! Long before refrigeration was accessible to the general public, cultures across the globe developed ways to preserve their produce, so that they would have nutritious, delicious food items through the winter.

There are many ways to pickle or preserve your fruits and vegetables. If you you’d like to experiment with the final product without going through the process, try some of our specialty canned items! We have an amazing selection that you will not find in any other store.

Produce Doesn’t Have to be Perfect

Remember, you don’t need perfect produce. Local farms and stands often mark down the produce that isn’t the prettiest. Some people might call this “choosing seconds,” but as long as it tastes good, a few bruises or discoloration still works for canning, eating raw or other recipes.

Truthfully, at Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce we are sticklers for quality. You may not find ugly produce at our markets but you’ll still find the great deals. How is that possible?

We keep inventory rotating so the produce you take home is fresh and delicious every time. When specific fruits, vegetables, and even meats are in-season we put them on our Weekly Specials Flyer at a great price to make sure we sell out.

Remember this next time you see a deal on your favorite produce; they tend to go fast!

Choose a Different Lifestyle

So the next time you ask yourself, “Where’s a produce stand near me,” know that your local Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce are a great 24 hour option!

Hopefully, we can be a fresh, local resource for you. Our team gives the best customer service and we love to offer free samples!

Looking for ideas on what to cook with your newfound fresh produce? Check out these recipes for more tips on how to enjoy our produce and meats.

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Looking for where to buy high quality, local seafood? Tacoma Boys and H&L produce are great options. Freshness and quality have been our priorities from the start, and we have learned a lot about seafood over the years. Read on and we’ll go over how to identify some of the best local seafood Tacoma has to offer.

Everyone loves a quality meal, but sometimes finding great protein options at a reasonable price can be difficult. This is definitely true in the case of seafood, where prices seem to be continually rising over time. We can’t let that stop us though – here in the Pacific Northwest seafood is always on the menu. 

Finding quality seafood in Tacoma, at a good price doesn’t have to be an impossible challenge, especially if you look locally. Tacoma has some amazing places where you can find various fish, shrimp, and lobster for prices that won’t break the bank. Being on the west coast allows us to access to some of the freshest and most affordable seafood in the country. You just need to know how to identify high-quality seafood.

Be Inquisitive

When purchasing seafood in Tacoma, remember to ask questions and be curious about where the seafood is from and how fresh it is. The key to finding quality product oftentimes is dependent on your willingness to ask a few simple questions.

Asking these questions can help you avoid seafood that’s far from fresh.

• Was it caught wild or farm raised?
• When and where was it processed?
• Was it previously frozen?
• When did the product arrive?
• How many days of shelf life does it have?

Use Your Senses

Before you look at the seafood, glance around the store overall. Make sure where you’re shopping is neat and organized. Countertops should be clean and fresh fish should always be stored on a bed of ice or in a refrigerated case. If the store doesn’t pass this initial cleanliness test, don’t buy seafood there.

Normally, you can ask seafood providers to smell and handle many products before purchasing. This close inspection can tell you a lot about the quality of the seafood.

Fresh seafood should have very little smell, if any at all. If there is a scent to the product, it should be of the ocean. You should not purchase any seafood that that smell sour or has traces of ammonia. Ammonia is caused by natural oils in fish and other seafood breaking down, and it cannot be cooked out by high heat.

Outside of the smell, you should also check the firmness of the fish. Whether the product in question is filleted or whole, it should have a springy, firm feeling. When touched, the flesh of a fresh fish should “bounce” back and no impressions from your finger should remain to be seen.

It’s normal for fish eyes to bulge a little, but the flesh should be shiny and gills should be bright red. Delicate fish, such as salmon, should be visually free of any bruises, breaks or tears. These marks are usually indicative of poor handling.

Shellfish Specifics

When it comes to shellfish, the above tips still apply. Shellfish shouldn’t smell like anything other than the ocean, and asking questions is pertinent. What makes shellfish more of a challenge to shop for is that you should always try to buy them from a fresh seafood market where they are kept alive until you purchase them. Frozen options pale in comparison in regards to quality and flavor. The small prepping window for shellfish is key for optimum freshness.

At Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce, the clams and oysters you take home will be alive. We bring them in alive, responsibly sourced, to ensure they’re always fresh. For your visual scan of shellfish, their shells should be free of cracks or holes, and they should have a ‘lively’ appearance and activity to indicate good health. Fun tip: You can test the health of the live clams and oysters by tapping their shell to see if they close up.

The Best Seafood Tacoma Has to Offer

If you’re traveling through the Pacific Northwest, you can’t be blamed for having a hankering for seafood. We love it locally, too! We stock nearly 100 different seafood and shellfish varieties. For those seeking quality seafood Tacoma Boys has the best and freshest selection you could ask for. The above tips are guaranteed to help you find local, fresh seafood for a price that you can feel happy with.

Looking to make a quality meal? Come and visit one of our store locations for fresh produce and organics you can use for your side dishes. Whether you stop by Tacoma Boys or H&L produce in Lakewood, our team is always happy to answer any questions you may have about selecting and cooking your delicious, fresh seafood.

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We all know having a balanced, fruit and vegetable diet is important, right? After all, that’s what our parents always told us. However it seems most folks never took this advice to heart.

According to the USDA, we need 2.5 cups of veggies and 2 cups of fruit per day. However, the average American only consumes about 1.6 cups of veggies and 1 cup of fruit. How do fruits and vegetables fit into your diet plan?

Fruits and veggies contain all kinds of useful minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants. They reduce the risk of chronic diseases, and can help your waistline. They can also be a great source of fiber.

That said, many of us struggle with maintaining a fruit and vegetable diet. If you belong in this group, here are 5 ways to enhance your fruit and veggie diet.

1. Change Your Approach

Change the way you think about fruits and vegetables.

All too often people associate fruit and vegetable diets with a bad experience, maybe from as far back as childhood. For example; They may associate sliced tomatoes with a slimy tomato they got on a stale sandwich or corn with salty canned corn served at their grandma’s house in the eighties.

The truth is, fruits and vegetables are amazing when selected and served correctly!

Instead of shopping for canned vegetables, buy them fresh from your local produce market. If you have any questions make sure to ask the employees.

At Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce we pride ourselves in a staff that is ready answer your questions and offer suggestions.

Click to find out what’s in season.

Find new ways to serve your fruits and vegetables. Sliced, sautéed or baked with olive oil, salt and pepper.

Discover the variety of colors available with a fruit and vegetable diet. It’s truly amazing how a colorful meal can inspire a meal for friends and family.

Whether shopping for tonight’s dinner for one or a family’s meals for the week, think about which fruits and/or veggies would taste good with it. As you experiment and try different options, you will find the preferences of you and those around you.

2. Take It to the Road

Some of us get hungry while we’re out running errands or on the way home. This is a perfect opportunity to add another serving of fruits and vegetables into your diet!

Remember to pick convenient on-the-go snacks. Some good examples include baby carrots, blueberries, and celery sticks. Having a small container of almonds or walnuts is a shrewd choice that stores well and adds protein to your daily snacking.

The next time you are shopping at your local Tacoma Boys or H&L Produce, look into our dried vegetable and fruit options. Banana Chips and Wasabi Peas are age old favorites.

Fun Fact: Peas are not actually vegetables. Can you guess what they are?

Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce have an amazing selection of bulk food items. Dried fruit, nuts, candy and more!

3. Be Ready

You are more likely to eat vegetables if they’re at hand, washed and ready to eat. There are a few ways to go about this.

You can buy pre-cut, pre-washed veggies, or you can chop them yourself.

How to cut fruits and vegetables the right way.

No matter which option you choose, your vegetables should always be stored in your fridge, ready for munching.

Think about what containers you use and where you place your vegetable snacks so that they are easily accessible.

While prepping your healthy snack time options, place a container of hummus or low-fat ranch near by. Having such dipping options handy will only increase your likelihood to maintain a solid fruit and vegetable diet.

4. Drink Your Fruits and Veggies

Processed juices are not a good way to increase your fruit intake. They are often high in sugar, low in key nutrients and honestly don’t tastes as good as freshly made juice. Instead, try making juices and smoothies on your own!

We often think of fruit when referring to juices and smoothies, but vegetables can be a healthy and delicious ingredient as well. Find fun ways to combine both fruits and vegetables depending on what’s in season and your desired end result.

Click here for vegetable juicing ideas.

You can often purchase vegetable smoothies off the shelf at your neighborhood grocery store, or you can make them on your own.

Click here for vegetable smoothie ideas.

Also, consider adding some other items to your smoothies. Avocados, almonds, and chia seeds are all a great fit. These foods add some healthy fats and nutrients while enhancing the fruity taste.

Beetroot smoothie in glass with ginger and fresh vegetables on wooden background

5. Find Your Favorites

With such a wide variety of fruits and veggies out there, it shouldn’t be too hard to find a handful you like. Once you have a couple of favorites, keep buying them.

By understanding your preferences and exploring the foods you like, you’ll be more likely to stick to your diet. There are so many different recipes and ways to prepare each fruit and vegetable.

That said, it would do you good to leave your comfort zone once in a while. After all, experimenting with new options is the easiest way to find a new favorite. It may be that you don’t care for fresh tomatoes, but absolutely love them sautéed or sun-dried! Maybe boiled or steamed broccoli has never been your thing, but baked with a little olive oil, salt and pepper is!

More on a Fruit and Vegetable Diet

Considering all the benefits of a fruit and vegetable diet, it’s a wonder why so many people choose to ignore it. Thankfully, it’s never too late to change your ways and increase your fruit and veggie intake.

Not sure where to get fresh produce in Tacoma, WA? You can always visit one of our three stores. We’ve got a great selection of fruit and vegetables at affordable prices!

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