Today we’re continuing on with how to save money at the market when gaining healthy weight. This week’s focus is on shopping at the fresh food or farmer’s market for healthy weight gain.

Fresh food markets are a huge part of communities all over the world. They not only boast local fresh produce but are a meeting place as well.

I love fresh food markets. I dreaded them when we were growing up and my mum dragged us kicking and screaming to them, but things change (thankfully).

Markets are some of the best places you’ll be able to find quality fresh produce that will help with your weight gain goals and boosting your health.

So let’s get started.

       Saving Money At The Market For Your Healthy Weight Goals

1.What’s in Season?

Not surprisingly, saving money at the market begins at home.

Before you go shopping, look inside your pantry, fridge, freezer, fruit bowl etc to see what’s already there.

This helps save you from doubling up on things you already have, and also gives you ideas on what food you can cook for the week up ahead.

The other thing to check out is a guide to seasonal produce.

Firstly, local seasonal produce is fresh, nutritious, delicious and in plentiful supply.

Secondly, farmers and stall holders are selling the same fruit and vegetables which keeps prices low. Seeing what’s available in season and sticking to this will definitely save you money.

Now while markets are generally cheaper than supermarkets for foods in season, do jump online and have a quick look at the supermarket specials to compare just in case.

Check out these tips for saving money at the supermarket.

Next, figure out your budget and stick to it.

Don’t forget to make your shopping list AND a list of the meals and snacks you’ll prepare over the next week or so.

Finally, don’t forget to pack your reusable bags.

(Just as an FYI, when it comes to meal planning, I really like bulk cooking, one-pot cooking and slow cooking.

That’s because they save time and money, extras can be frozen then eaten later, and you can meet your balanced diet needs easily.

It goes without saying to cook the foods you like if you’re doing this, as you’ll enjoy it more and will actually eat it.)

2.Do a walk through the market place before you shop.

Yes the market makes for cheaper shopping but there will be different prices even amongst the vendors, so do your research first.

Walk through the marketplace and make a note of prices, particularly things that you want to buy.

Jot this down on a list, on your phone, or in your head if you’ve a good memory. When you’ve finished your once-over, head back to the bargains and get what you need.

3.Cash is king.

When shopping at the market it is always best to take actual money.

First, depending on where you live the vendors may not all have access to cashless payments.

Second, a lot of farmers prefer to accept cash and will offer a discount for this. Or you may be able to get a discount for offering to pay in cash. Just ask for a deal if paying cash. It can’t hurt.

Third, taking cash is also a good way to make sure you stick to your budget (The budget that you made at home, remember?)

It makes you prioritise essential items over impulse buys on your shopping list.

When you run out of money it’s time to browse with your eyes or just go home.

4.Don’t avoid the imperfect looking produce.

Oh look, the carrot is looking somewhat curvy, or the parsnips are sprouting “hair”.

You know, supermarkets don’t sell fruit and vegetables that are somewhat twisted or ugly, because they know people will pay more for proportioned “attractive” produce.

But we’re on a budget and it’s all going to get cut up and eaten anyway.

Certainly go and buy the shapeless produce at a discount. It tastes exactly the same as the pretty stuff.

Fruit and vegetable that has a weird shape is often sold at a cheaper price and generally has nothing wrong with it.

Also, don’t walk past produce that looks slightly overripe.

For instance overripe bananas will make fabulous homemade pancakes, banana bread or muffins – just perfect for healthy weight gain.

Other ways to use up overripe produce include making soups, stews, smoothies, pasta sauce, fruit and green juices or desserts.

So save your money and you can even instagram that curling carrot as a conversation piece.

Another bonus is you’re doing your bit to save on food waste.

5.Go shopping close to the end of trading hours

Lots of vendors give huge discounts towards the close of the market. They don’t want to lug their produce back home and would rather sell it.

For example at the Queen Victoria market in Melbourne close to closing time, you will hear traders up and down yelling out their discounts for fruit, vegetables and even meat.

This especially applies for bulk buys.

Some offer a couple of kilos at the regular price of a kilo, or even less. Others are selling an entire box filled with fragrant yellow mangos at unheard of prices.

This time of the day is a great time to buy and save money especially if you have a large family.

Just be mindful this doesn’t happen at all farmer’s markets and that not all traders take part in this.

For the most part, bulk buying is a great way to save money, but it needs to make sense.  Be sure you can actually use all the produce, transport it home safely, and can store it without spoilage.

For me, I’m always getting bunches of bananas because I know I will use them up even if they get overripe.

6.Try out different fresh food markets

I like to go to markets on weekends.  But some weekends are filled with family events or responsibilities, errands to run, friends to catch up with etc.

Of course during those times it makes sense that you’d run to your local market because you know the traders and their produce, and can be in and out in a shot.

Sometimes though, it can be of great benefit to try different markets around.

This is good for finding perhaps even lower prices, different produce and sometimes better quality produce. And you know other markets are just plain cool.

For example there are markets that have food swaps. Money doesn’t change hands here, but participants bring their homegrown produce, homemade baked goods or preserves, recipes etc and swap. That’s just brilliant!

I remember checking out a different farmer’s market to my usual on a cold, rainy winter day. There I chatted to a vendor who offered me something I’d never heard of or tried before- kiwi berries. 

Now I love kiwis and they are a regular part of my diet, but these little babies are a tasty powerhouse fruit that have even more vitamin C than kiwis!

So look up different markets in and away from your area. This is a great tip with how to save money at the market when gaining healthy weight.

7.Keep an open mind with produce.

It’s important to be flexible when shopping at the market.

When making your shopping list and meal plan, try to stick with foods that can used many different ways or can be substituted.

For instance, I have potatoes on my lists all the time. They are cheap, a good source of calories and can be cooked in lots of different ways. So even if we’re not feeling like mash, roast potatoes will do very well instead.

Also, do your recipes have some flexibility?

If the recipe calls for peaches, but nectarines are on sale, substitute them.  Or swap spinach for kale if it’s less expensive.  Or parsnips for swedes. Cauliflower instead of broccoli. And parsley for coriander.

In short, there are lots of ways to save money by going for a cheaper but just as nutritious similar option. And it will mix things up in the kitchen too.

8.There’s more than just fruit and veg at the market

While fruit and vegetables are the mainstay at markets, don’t forget there is other produce you can get at good prices.

Other goods on sale include cheese, breads, honey, fish, nuts, spices, dairy, grains, condiments (jams, pickles, chutneys etc), flowers, herbs and planting seeds,  just to name a few. And most would be home grown or home-made.

Besides, buying a mixture of fruit, vegetables and other fresh produce from the same vendor can score you a discount.

When creating my shopping list, I like to include an item that I can pick up at the market which I can store and use at home for a long time.

Maybe one week I’ll get some honey, the next week some nuts, then grains the week after.

In this way, I build up some staples in the pantry in an affordable way, and have a variety of things to choose from for meals and snacks.

To sum up, going to the market is great for cheap, healthy, fresh seasonal produce that will help you reach your weight gain goals. As a bonus you’re supporting local farmers as well.

I hope you find this post on How to Save Money at the Market when Gaining Healthy Weight useful.