[Familyofmonkeys]

With all the recent threads on budgeting, grocery bills and seasonal buying, it occurred to me that recent arrivals may have no idea or basis for comparison prices yet, and thought this would be useful to any newbies to NZ or anyone soon to be on their way. The idea is to give some insight into what fruit/veg etc to look out for as they are curently in season and aprox prices. So I will start with last weeks till receipt....

Here are the items currently cheap in New World:

Bananas $1.99 kg
Strawberries (fantastic quality) $3.99 kg
Brocolli $1.29 for large floret
Large Aubergine (eggplant) $2.99 each
Red & yellow Capsicum (very cheap indeed) $1.39 kg

Moderate priced items:

Peaches & Red Plums $3.99 kg
Braeburn Apples $4.20 kg


Anyone else care to add to this thread?

[Tia Maria]

It might be worth printing a few out of season prices so people can see what a big difference it makes.

When we were new to NZ I bought some strawberries out of season, I can't remember the price now but I know I nearly fell over backwards when it came up on the till. Even the till lady commented and asked if I still wanted them!

Cheers

Tia

[Familyofmonkeys]

It might be worth printing a few out of season prices so people can see what a big difference it makes.

When we were new to NZ I bought some strawberries out of season, I can't remember the price now but I know I nearly fell over backwards when it came up on the till. Even the till lady commented and asked if I still wanted them!

Cheers

Tia

Good idea Tia....

Here are the items from my shopping list again, with some approximate out of season prices alongside....

Bananas $1.99 kg (out of season up to about $6.99 kg)
Strawberries (fantastic quality) $3.99 kg
Brocolli $1.29 for large floret (out of season up to $3 per small floret)
Large Aubergine (eggplant) $2.99 each (out of season up to about $8 each....i've even seem the hit $9 each one week in Foodtown, Auckland CBD :eek:)
Red & yellow Capsicum (very cheap indeed) $1.39 kg (out of season up to about $8 per kg)

Moderate priced items:

Peaches & Red Plums $3.99 kg
Braeburn Apples $4.20 kg (in season more like $2.60 per kilo)

[LesleyS]

You guy's must have read my mind, as I was thinking of posting a similar thread myself - Gonna make it my mission to check for seasonally good food stuffs and report back with prices and stores (I have some time on my hands - can you tell?)

Thanks

[IanW99]

This link may also be useful to see what is seasonal.

Seasonal Fruit & Vegetables (PDF) (http://www.commonsenseorganics.co.nz/products/FandVChart.pdf)

Doesn't show the best time to buy them though? Also does have a few items missing.

Ian

[alan999]

Good idea Tia....

Strawberries (fantastic quality) $3.99 kg)

in all the supermarkets around here strawbs are that price for a 385gm punnet, even roadside sell at 5 punnets for $10 at about 320gm so if your price is right, what time do they close?

Alan

[Familyofmonkeys]

in all the supermarkets around here strawbs are that price for a 385gm punnet, even roadside sell at 5 punnets for $10 at about 320gm so if your price is right, what time do they close?

Alan

Strawberries were from New World at the new Westfield in Albany...price correct as of Sunday morning shop! Not only were they cheap.....but they were fantastic quality. I've just dug the packet from the bin for a closer look (:o ) and they were grown on farm in Massey, Waitakere...so very locally grown :nice1

[alan999]

Strawberries were from New World at the new Westfield in Albany...price correct as of Sunday morning shop! Not only were they cheap.....but they were fantastic quality. I've just dug the packet from the bin for a closer look (:o ) and they were grown on farm in Massey, Waitakere...so very locally grown :nice1

what a buy!!

[Moorf]

This link may also be useful to see what is seasonal.

Seasonal Fruit & Vegetables (PDF) (http://www.commonsenseorganics.co.nz/products/FandVChart.pdf)

Doesn't show the best time to buy them though? Also does have a few items missing.

Ian

Brilliant link - thanks! I shall print this out and stick it on the fridge... :nice1

[Familyofmonkeys]

This weekend some of the costs are:

Bananas slightly more than last week $2.29 per kg
Strawberries (grown in Kumeu) more expensive this week at $3.60 for 385g punnet
Very large Avocados $0.69 each (out of season up to $3 each)
Rhubarb $3.16 for 500g pack (not sure how this compares price wise, but good quality slender stalks)
spring onions $0.99 for large bunch (not very seasonal...max price all year about $1.99 bunch)
red/yellow/green capsicum still $1.39 kg
courgettes $2.89 kg (out of season up to $7 kg)
aubergine (more expensive this week) at $3.85 each
cucumber $2.49 each (out of season up to $5 each)
cherry tomatos $2.99 for 500g (can by up to $8 for 500g, but not v seasonal as hot house version available in winter at similar prices)

[JWR]

what is in season this week?

do things change from week to week?

like this week lettuce, next week the Yorkshire Terrier 'round the corner.

[IanW99]

what is in season this week?

do things change from week to week?

like this week lettuce, next week the Yorkshire Terrier 'round the corner.

There are plenty of things in season this week, if you really want to know then may I suggest you look at the link that I posted previously which shows when produce is readily available in NZ shops.

Do things change from week to week? Yes they do, not only can you not get some items when they are out of season but the prices change dramatically. Even if you are not interested in saving money by only buying fruit and vegetables when they are cheap, it is still worth knowing when they are in season as the quality can be much worse when out of season due to how the store and transport them.

Ian

[splodge]

What a useful thread...must pay some attention when budgeting.

[Familyofmonkeys]

What a useful thread...must pay some attention when budgeting.

Glad you find it useful. Could probably do with adding cost of other items that vary in price like tinned coods, breakfast cereals. These also change alot from week to week, but are not seasonal...they just vary.

[mgbridges]

Just as an aside to this very useful thread (good idea familyofmonkeys)!

My Kiwi neighbour told me that the Strawberry season finishes on Monday (ie 28th Jan). Now whether thats just the PYO season or that prices in the shops will shoot up I'm not sure but thought it might help in explaining the current prices.

She also told me that they had gone picking on Friday, were the only ones in the field, filled 3 huge buckets from a 20metre section down one row and that they were practically giving them away. She didn't realise until she came to pay that she was short of cash and they just told her to take them. Seems the season has been VERY good to the growers this year and they haven't got enough demand for the supply.

Anneliese

[Tia Maria]

Do you know where she went to pick strawberries? Might get the kids out before it finishes.

Cheers

Tia

[Familyofmonkeys]

Picking strawberries sounds like fun. Is there anywhere North Shore?

[Moorf]

Capsicums and tomatoes seem quite cheap at the moment.....

[Andy-Dee]

This is an excellent thread, buying seasonal fruit and veg so as to minimise the effect on the environment is quite topical in the Uk at the moment.

Someone (will try to dig out article from the Sunday Times) has written a cook book only using seasonal fare and has predicted it will become as common as being a vegetarian (have to say I DO eat meat). But this way of looking at cooking, makes sense from a cost and enviromental point of view and I will be trying to do more of it when we finally get over to your side of the pond.

'Love strawberry picking' sigh, roll on summer!

[Familyofmonkeys]

This is an excellent thread, buying seasonal fruit and veg so as to minimise the effect on the environment is quite topical in the Uk at the moment.

Someone (will try to dig out article from the Sunday Times) has written a cook book only using seasonal fare and has predicted it will become as common as being a vegetarian (have to say I DO eat meat). But this way of looking at cooking, makes sense from a cost and enviromental point of view and I will be trying to do more of it when we finally get over to your side of the pond.

'Love strawberry picking' sigh, roll on summer!

I love Cook Books :)
Can't wait until we are able to *attempt* to grow some of our own!

[mgbridges]

Tia & familyofmonkeys

I think the Strawberry PYO was somewhere out Coatesville way, north of Albany. If you can't find it you could always go to Hallertau http://www.hallertau.co.nz/ good food, good atmosphere, fine with kids and even have a small playground.

Hope that helps!
Anneliese

[Tia Maria]

Very smoothly done mgbridges, strawberries to beer! :D

Found this article:

www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10485558

And I think the Massey Gardens and Orchards mentioned, are here:

www.finda.co.nz/business/listing/nst6/massey-gardens-orchard/map/

Cheers

Tia

[Familyofmonkeys]

This weeks shopping:

Courgettes $1.99 for pack of 8, not sure of weight (out of season up to $8.50 kg)
Bananas $2.29 kg (i've seen the up to $6.99 kg out of season)
Massive bunch celery $3.99 (similar price for much smaller bunch out of season)
cucumber $2.49 each (out of season up to $5 each)
Button mushrooms $4.95 for 250g (doesn't vary much in price in supermarket, but might in veggie shop)
New potatos $3.79 kg (not massively seasonal but can be up to $6 kg)

[wiki]

This weeks shopping:

Button mushrooms $4.95 for 250g (doesn't vary much in price in supermarket, but might in veggie shop)


Have a look to see if your supermarket does mushrooms loose. Ours are usually $9.80kg for both button and field but last week on special for $7.99 for the field mushrooms...
your 250g punnet works out $20 a kilo which is pretty rich for my blood.

Also, they don't charge for the paper bag (it's tared onto the scale so you only pay for the mushrooms).

[Familyofmonkeys]

Have a look to see if your supermarket does mushrooms loose. Ours are usually $9.80kg for both button and field but last week on special for $7.99 for the field mushrooms...
your 250g punnet works out $20 a kilo which is pretty rich for my blood.

Also, they don't charge for the paper bag (it's tared onto the scale so you only pay for the mushrooms).

Would definitely buy loose mushrooms as preference, but at the moment they are all bruised and old in the shops....well at least they are when we do our shopping :(

[wiki]

that's a shame as we've got lovely ones down here - but then again, we buy the flat fields so a bit of bruising doesn't matter if it does show up on them. Hopefully you'll get something fresher soon!

[Familyofmonkeys]

that's a shame as we've got lovely ones down here - but then again, we buy the flat fields so a bit of bruising doesn't matter if it does show up on them. Hopefully you'll get something fresher soon!

Hope so as being veggie, mushrooms are one of our staple foods. Think problem is just that at our local supermarket they stock the shelves mostly in the morning and mostly we do food shopping in evening when the kids are in bed.

[benandclare]

Waddington plums are very yummy this season :D :D

[Moorf]

;)

[nippa&pippa]

Hope so as being veggie, mushrooms are one of our staple foods. Think problem is just that at our local supermarket they stock the shelves mostly in the morning and mostly we do food shopping in evening when the kids are in bed.

Grow your own mushrooms!! That what we done and still doing it after brought two buckets from farmer market in Lincoln at $10 a bucket before christmas!!

[Familyofmonkeys]

Grow your own mushrooms!! That what we done and still doing it after brought two buckets from farmer market in Lincoln at $10 a bucket before christmas!!

Always wanted to have a go at growing some :) Still trying to persuade OH...he has promised me I can have a go when we eventually move, but I reckon we might have room in the garage for some......

[nippa&pippa]

Always wanted to have a go at growing some :) Still trying to persuade OH...he has promised me I can have a go when we eventually move, but I reckon we might have room in the garage for some......

It is very simple..It is too dark now but i will have look at bucket tomorrow to see if there any name of company that you may can contact them..it is so fab, just a bucket full of soil that mushrooms just grow on top of it, ideally for kids to learn to look after it and collect it for me ;)

[Familyofmonkeys]

It is very simple..It is too dark now but i will have look at bucket tomorrow to see if there any name of company that you may can contact them..it is so fab, just a bucket full of soil that mushrooms just grow on top of it, ideally for kids to learn to look after it and collect it for me ;)

Yes please....name of company would be great :)

OH likes the sound of that too.....might get to grow some mushies afterall :clap

[tea drinker]

What about curly kale...it's in season here in the UK at the mo and it's one of my favourites:nice1

My other fav is brussel sprouts...:nice1

Wouldnt want to grow them but would like to be able to but them in NZ

[nippa&pippa]

What about curly kale...it's in season here in the UK at the mo and it's one of my favourites:nice1

My other fav is brussel sprouts...:nice1

Wouldnt want to grow them but would like to be able to but them in NZ

Both available in supermarket when is in seasons. I love brussel sprout too :nice1 but had to wait till it is in seasons before I get chance to buy it!!

[nippa&pippa]

Yes please....name of company would be great :)

OH likes the sound of that too.....might get to grow some mushies afterall :clap

From Broadfield Mushrooms, their number is 03 325 3435

[Familyofmonkeys]

From Broadfield Mushrooms, their number is 03 325 3435

Thankyou :nice1

p.s. i'm not allowed to give you any more rep at the moment :(

[nippa&pippa]

p.s. i'm not allowed to give you any more rep at the moment :(

:laugh

[nippa&pippa]

In our small veg patch that my MIL done for us :laugh we just got our very first home-grown vegetable appear - a courgette, that is so cheap to grow instead of buy it in the shop! :raebanana
More babies starting to arrive to eat including tomatoes, chillies, lemon, peppers, pumpkins, eggplant and courgette..I am now keen to grow more vegetables next year including carrot and potatoes :nice1

[Familyofmonkeys]

Eggplants on offer at the moment for $2.69 each. Been making loads of things like Aubergine Gratin the last couple of weeks before the price soars again.

[thezorbster]

Corn on the cob 99c for 3! Apples 99c a kilo (or free off the tree on the verge opposite our house).

So nice to walk into Raewards this morning and find that I'd guess at over 60% of produce was Nelson grown. Nelson area apples, toms, pears, plums, peppers, onions, corn, pumpkins etc the list just goes on. Really nice to buy local.:nice1

[Familyofmonkeys]

This week in New world:

Red Capsicum (very cheap indeed) 5 for 99c or 29c each.
Large Avocados 99c each
Large Leek $2.59
white potatos $1.99 kg
Carrotts $1.79 kg
Large Brocolli 1.29 each
Eggplant (starting to go up in price) $3.25 each
Bananas $2.99 kg

[Smiler]

:( $1.89 for red capsicum in my NW yesterday :wah

[Familyofmonkeys]

In New world this week:

Royal Gala Apples $2.49 kg (can be up to $5 kg out of season) and they are much more tasty than the ones we used to buy in UK!!

Bananas now $2.89 kg (price starting to go up again).

Large Leeks $2.59 each.

Spring Onions $1.49 for a large bunch.

Capsicums back up to $1.99 each (still much cheaper than winter prices, but not the 5 for 99c they were a couple of weeks ago).

[nippa&pippa]

Grow your own mushrooms!! That what we done and still doing it after brought two buckets from farmer market in Lincoln at $10 a bucket before christmas!!

Here is sample as brought new bucket recent

1151

[Familyofmonkeys]

I contacted the company that does your mushroom buckets, but unfortunately they only supply in Canterbury :wah Can't wait until we can grow our own, as mushrooms are a staple to our family rather than a seasonal veg type food....not seen anything similar here yet!

[mgbridges]

This link may also be useful to see what is seasonal.

Seasonal Fruit & Vegetables (PDF) (http://www.commonsenseorganics.co.nz/products/FandVChart.pdf)


Ian


This may be a dumb question but is this document whats in season in New Zealand?

Anneliese

[IanW99]

This may be a dumb question but is this document whats in season in New Zealand?

Anneliese

:yes :nice1

Ian

[Familyofmonkeys]

New World today:

Braeburn apples are 99c per kilo.
Large pack 450g garlic 89c.
Large Mango $2.49 each.