Your Guide To The Cheapest Produce In Tacoma For Each Season

Finding the cheapest produce in Tacoma can be tricky. Take blueberries for example. It could be the middle of January, and yes, your grocery store may still had them, but are they the wisest purchase to be had?

There are plenty of in season options that may be a better choice. And if you still have a hankering for blueberries, maybe try a blueberry beer (link to top five beers article).

The doctor says you should eat fresh produce, but finding the cheapest produce in Tacoma can be a hassle. The trick is shopping for produce when it is in season.

Bookmark this page and look back as you do your meal prep, and plan your grocery trips. The truth is you can find great produce in Tacoma for a fraction of the usual price!

Cheapest Produce in Winter

You may think that winter is a horrible time of year to find inexpensive produce. Well you would be wrong! There are a number of holdovers from the fall harvest that fit well in your favorite wintery recipes! To find great deals on produce this Winter, shop for:

• Broccoli (check out this recipe for broccoli soup)
• Brussel sprouts (I like mine with butter and salt!)
• Cabbage
• Grapefruit
• Kale
• Leeks
• Lemons
• Oranges
• Tangerines
• Turnips
• Pears
• Mushrooms
• Rutabagas

Cheapest Produce in Spring

Spring is a great time for experimenting with sandwiches and salads as you transition from heavy winter meals into lighter summer fare. Spring is also a great time to plan meals that include many favorites from the spring harvest! During springtime shop for these items:

• Artichokes
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Lettuce
• Mushrooms
• Parsnips
• Pineapples
• Radishes
• Asparagus (a traditional Easter meal dish)
• Apricots
• Cherries
• Mangoes
• Okra (get your gumbo on!)
• Spring peas
• Zucchini

Produce for Summer

Cookouts, juicy fruits, and lots of outdoor time are all part of what makes summer so great!

Summer is also the time of year when farmer’s markets are at their peak. By shopping wisely, you will be able to get lots of wonderful produce in your area.

Tacoma Boys is an amazing one stop shopping experience. We carry amazing meats, cheeses, beers and wines along with fresh fruits and vegetables for your favorite summer dishes.

Don’t forget to check out or private line of seasonings and specialty items!  

Get outside and fill your plate with:

• Apricots
• Blueberries
• Cantaloupe
• Corn (perfect for a Fourth of July picnic in Tacoma)
• Kiwi
• Lettuce
• Peaches
• Strawberries
• Swiss Chard
• Watermelon
• Green beans
• Peppers
• Bell Peppers
• Plums
• Raspberries
• Summer Squash
• Tomatoes
• Avacado

Cheapest Produce for the Fall Season

Fall is the season of harvest! This means you can get a lot of great produce during this time of year.

Some of your favorite fall meals are seasonal for a reason! Pumpkin pie (made with real pumpkins), sweet potato casserole and cooked green beans go so well with your Thanksgiving Turkey.

Living in the Northwest, we have access to amazing orchards, which provide a bounty of apples this time of year.  

Click for some fun facts about Apples!

This Fall fill your cornucopia with:

• Acorn Squash
• Apples
• Butternut Squash
• Cucumbers
• Eggplant
• Figs
• Kiwi
• Peppers
• Green beans
• Tomatoes
• Winter Squash
• Beets
• Cauliflower
• Pomegranates
• Pumpkins
• Spinach
• Sweet Potatoes
• Leeks

Tips for Taking Care of Your Produce

Now that you have a better idea on how to find the cheapest produce in Tacoma, you need some tips on how to take care of it! Follow these steps to ensure your produce is the best it can be when you eat it raw or prepare it in a dish.

Click here for a great regional resource on what to cook during which time of year!

Don’t wash your produce until you’re ready to cook with it. The residual moisture can quicken spoilage, and washing too early can actually remove some of the water soluble nutrients.

Store fruits and vegetables separately. Certain fruits produce a natural gas that quickens the ripening process. This can cause your veggies to spoil too soon! On the bright side, this process can be used to help ripen fruits like avocados or pears at a faster rate.

How to ripen an avocado in 10 minutes!

Fruits like apples, berries, pineapples, cherries, oranges, and watermelon can go right into the fridge. Pears, bananas, apricots, peaches, and plums can stay on the counter.

Most veggies should stay in the crisper drawer in your refrigerator, but tomatoes should stay out. Store potatoes and onions in cool, dry spaces.

Why not to bag your vegetables!

Grow Your Own!

Something to consider this year is planting your own small garden in the backyard or on your patio. We have a great selection fruits and vegetables to plant! Tomatoes, blueberries, strawberries and lettuce are all fun ways to have a fresh picked option for your friends and family this year.

Need a planter? No worries! We have an amazing selection of ceramic pots, in all shapes and sizes to choose from!

Click here for some PNW backyard garden inspiration!

Next time you’re our shopping for food that’s ready to eat, consider buying some ready to plant options at your local Tacoma Boys or H&L Produce!

Where to Find Cheap Produce

The best place to find amazing service and the cheapest produce in Tacoma is at your neighborhood Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce in Puyallup, Lakewood and Tacoma.  Click here for your nearest location!

Over the last 25 years, alongside our amazing customers, we’ve developed into one of the most loved grocers in the area.

If you’re not local to Tacoma Boys, ask around to discover your own local meat and produce suppliers,  and remember, if you want great fresh produce in your area that won’t break the bank, always try to shop in season.

Click here to learn more about seasonal fruits and vegetables in the PNW!