Fresh fruits and vegetables are essential for a balanced diet—but if you’re not shopping seasonally, you’re likely paying more than necessary. Out-of-season produce often travels long distances, loses flavor, and costs significantly more. By timing your purchases with seasonal harvests, you get the best taste at the best price.
Here’s how to make the most of seasonal produce—and how to stack your savings even further by pairing it with instant cashback through gift cards.
Why Seasonal Produce Costs Less
When fruits and vegetables are in peak season, they’re more abundant and don’t require expensive transportation or storage. That means grocery stores pay less, and you do too. Local produce is usually harvested at its freshest, meaning better taste, higher nutrition, and lower prices.
To check what’s in season in your area, use the USDA Seasonal Produce Guide.
Seasonal Produce to Prioritize
Spring Picks:
- Asparagus
- Peas
- Strawberries
- Artichokes
- Radishes
Summer Picks:
- Tomatoes
- Corn
- Zucchini
- Peaches
- Berries (blueberries, blackberries, raspberries)
Fall Picks:
- Apples
- Sweet potatoes
- Grapes
- Squash (butternut, acorn)
- Broccoli
Winter Picks:
- Oranges
- Kale
- Cabbage
- Beets
- Carrots
These items tend to drop in price when they’re in season—and offer better texture, color, and flavor.
How to Preserve Seasonal Deals
If you find a great price on produce, buy extra and freeze it. Berries, corn, and even herbs freeze well and keep for months. Chop herbs and freeze them in olive oil using an ice cube tray, or store sliced bananas and strawberries in freezer-safe bags for smoothies and baking.
Add Cashback to Your Seasonal Shopping
Want to save even more? Pair your produce haul with a gift card purchase that gives you cashback. With Fluz, you can earn cashback with a Kroger gift card, get rewards with a Safeway gift card, or buy a HEB gift card online with cashback—then use the gift card to pay for your fresh produce in-store or online.
These digital gift cards are available in exact amounts, making it easy to buy right before checkout and get money back instantly on your total spend.
Stack It All for Maximum Savings
Here’s how to combine everything:
- Check what’s in season using the USDA guide.
- Meal plan based on affordable, fresh produce.
- Buy your gift card through Fluz for your preferred grocery store.
- Pay with the gift card and keep the cashback.
With this strategy, you’re stacking the best possible price (seasonal), minimizing waste (because you’ll use what’s fresh), and earning real cashback on your purchase.
Conclusion: Fresh Doesn’t Have to Be Expensive
Shopping seasonally is one of the easiest ways to enjoy fresher food at a lower cost. When you combine those savings with platforms like Fluz—by using a gift card that pays you back—you’re not just shopping smart, you’re shopping better.
