Going broke on berries? Smart ways to save money on berries

As a working mom, I do most of my grocery shopping online to save time, and I always add strawberries to my cart – no matter the season – because my daughter asks for them nearly every day.

But I cringe sometimes when I see the price for strawberries, which has almost doubled in the last five years.

Apparently, I’m not the only parent investing in my kid’s unending appetite for berries. The Washington Post recently published an article titled: “Parents are ‘going broke on berries.’”

In the story, a mom says her twins can eat $30 worth of Costco berries in just a day.

Like many parents, I know the daily struggle of trying to convince my child to eat healthy foods. So when I finally find a fruit or vegetable that my daughter likes, I keep buying it, even when grocery prices are higher.

However, there are easy ways to save money on your family’s “berry budget.” Here are a few of my own personal tips that help me spend less on berries and fresh fruit:

• Look for sales in your local grocery store’s weekly ad online before you shop. Sometimes the larger cartons of berries are a better deal than the smaller cartons. I like to freeze any extra berries to make smoothies. I also freeze other fruits – like grapes, bananas and melon – for smoothies and snacking.
• If you live near a U-pick berry farm, follow the farm’s Facebook page for updates on specials. Sometimes at the end of the season, farms offer a discount to pick the last berries in the fields. Find a list of Iowa U-pick farms at www.visitiowafarms.org/.
• If organic berries aren’t in your budget, that’s OK. Research has shown that organic and conventional foods are equally safe and nutritious. The “organic” label is about farming practices, not added health benefits. Whether it’s organic or conventional, fresh fruit is a healthy choice for your family.

Nutrition experts recommend offering kids fruits and vegetables at snack time and meals. But as a parent, I know that’s easier said than done.

I remind myself that healthy meals don’t have to be perfect or expensive. If my daughter eats a few strawberries with supper, I’m calling it a win.

And when I look at my grocery cart, I’m thankful for the Iowa farmers who help provide the foods my family eats every day, from fresh berries to milk, eggs and meat.

To learn more about how Iowa farmers work every day to grow safe, nutritious food, visit realfarmersrealfoodrealmeat.com.

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