So I was very happy to find Ziploc Fresh Produce Bags at Costco last week. I had first seen them used on the Biggest Loser last season, but I had looked for them at Target and my local grocery stores with no luck. At Costco, you get 4 boxes of 15 bags each for $7.45. This equals out to 12 cents per bag, but it is so worth it considering how much the produce costs that you throw out, and you can reuse the bags a couple of times depending on what you put inside them.

The Fresh Produce Bags totally worked: The strawberries that I buy at the farmers’ market normally go a bit manky after 3-4 days in the fridge, but the ones that I put in one of the bags stayed fresh for a week, which immediately turned me into a convert. I now transfer all of my fresh produce into the bags as soon as I come home from the farmers’ market and store. If you want to cut down on your grocery bill and prevent unnecessary waste, definitely buy a pack and try them for yourself.

Shopping at your local farmers market is a sure fire way to save money because it forces you to eat seasonally. Instead of paying a premimum for produce flown in from Chile because it is out of season in the States, you can buy cheap in season produce, and it tastes better than the Chilean produce that has traveled thousands of miles to your grocery store. Plus you get to support independent farmers, which always makes me feel good.

Please let me introduce you to the produce that I bought which will soon have starring roles in some future Recession Recip.es…

They had the most beautiful bunches of different kale varieties on sale for $2 each. I chose a bunch of Russian Kale because I had never had it before and it looked different from the regular curly leafed kale that you can find at the store.

This orange cauliflower looks delicious and was only $3, which a lot cheaper than what I’ve seen it sold for at the grocery store.

I bought this Kohlrabi for $2.50. I have never eaten this before, but I’ve always been intrigued by it when I’ve seen it in recipes. I’m looking forward to finally tasting it!