I Love Produce Markets !!!

**druthb00** · 02-16-2010, 01:21 PM

Back in Indiana, we only had these temporary produce stands that were open from about June through September. When we got to Florida the Penske Truck Rental Company that we had to return our truck to has a used truck sales business and then right next door to it, they have a produce market with the same family name. I LOVE this place. The prices almost always beat the supermarket prices and the quality ALWAYS beats the supermarket. Since we've been here I've gotten some amazing deals on really good quality produce. $1.49 for a Dominican avacado (these are 3 times the size of grocery store varieties), Florida Grapefruit for .69 each that dwarf any "OceanSpray" grapefruit in the stores, Cucumbers 3 for $1, Green peppers 4 for $1 (smaller ones), Vineripe and Roma tomatoes for .69 lb., Iceburg lettuce for .79 ea., lemons 4 for $1, Potatoes in a 5 lb. bag for .99, and I could go on and on. I regularly go there right before hitting the supermarket and spend less than $20 on more than enough produce for 2 weeks, and we eat TONS of fruit/vegetables.

I just sent some family back home a box of grapefruit and avacados. My dad got a box for grapefruit for his birthday. My family is easy to please I guess LOL.

**shoiji** · 02-16-2010, 04:28 PM

Would love to have those prices on a regular basis here! Enjoy.

**leighcat** · 02-16-2010, 05:50 PM

What part of Florida are you in? I can't find deals that good here very often. I found bananas for .29/lb for banana bread, and a cucumber for .50 but the rest of their produce looked rotten and was pricey. I usually end up having to go to the flea market to get better deals on produce. I live in Pasco County, unfortunately lol.

**druthb00** · 02-16-2010, 06:54 PM

Originally Posted by leighcat

What part of Florida are you in? I can't find deals that good here very often. I found bananas for .29/lb for banana bread, and a cucumber for .50 but the rest of their produce looked rotten and was pricey. I usually end up having to go to the flea market to get better deals on produce. I live in Pasco County, unfortunately lol.

I'm in Pinellas actually. Hiya neighbor!

The produce place is called Grahm's Produce Market, it's on 54th Ave. N. in Kenneth City (a little south of Pinellas Park). We've been here through the couple cold snaps that happened recently (moved in late Dec.) and even then I was able to find really good prices surprisingly. I haven't ventured out to other markets though since I've been so happy with this one. Maybe I just got lucky? Everytime I go in there is someone bringing in a new shipment of something, last week it was pink grapefruit.

**leighcat** · 02-17-2010, 06:09 PM

You are a little over an hour away. Next time I go that way to thrift stores I will have to check out the Market.

I sometimes go to Palm Harbor and Clearwater for thrifting since it is my only real hobby lol. I get my dry bulk goods at Palm Harbor Natural Foods whenever I go thrifting.

**craftypam** · 02-17-2010, 06:37 PM

I LOVE our produce stand also. Get bags full of produce for a whole lot less than groceries and it's healthier. Funny you live in FL and I say that because we were in FL awhile ago; can't remember how many years probably 5-7 and were shocked with the weather being so warm and a long growing season we could not find a produce stand.

**druthb00** · 02-17-2010, 06:59 PM

Originally Posted by craftypam

I LOVE our produce stand also. Get bags full of produce for a whole lot less than groceries and it's healthier. Funny you live in FL and I say that because we were in FL awhile ago; can't remember how many years probably 5-7 and were shocked with the weather being so warm and a long growing season we could not find a produce stand.

Really? It seems like they are on every corner where we're at. Especially in Pinellas Park. Haines Road alone must have at least 5. I haven't been down to the St. Petersburg Farmer's Market yet, but I plan to eventually since they have a lot of handcrafted things and fresh baked goods. I wonder how the produce is there?

**Saule** · 02-17-2010, 10:21 PM

When I was last in Florida, I found one near St. Pete - my parents lived there briefly and I was desperate to find some alternatives for them. I live in the Chicago area and we have a number of produce/ethnic markets throughout the area. Those are my number one shopping choices. One of my friends shops at the same one that I favor, she saves $50 a week - three teenagers at her house... The ethnic markets carry meat and other products - I pay half price of what the supermarket charges for deli meats and cheeses.

**spyzvixxen** · 02-18-2010, 12:00 AM

I have a farmers market near me and do pretty well. Definitely cheaper than the grocery store. You just need to know your prices. It's usually hit or miss as to what looks good that week.