GETTING THE MOST FOR YOUR MONEY

• Older products are placed in front on a shelf so they sell faster; reach for the freshest items at the back.

• Items placed at eye-level are generally more expensive, so look for equivalent products on lower shelves.

• Avoid pre-cut and packaged vegetables, because you pay for this convenience.

• Buy fresh produce that’s in season. As nice as it is to eat strawberries in June, they were probably imported or cultivated at great expense in a temperature-controlled greenhouse – which adds to the price tag.

WINTER (June to Aug)

FRUIT: granadilla, papaya, strawberries, naartjies, oranges, limes, lemons, grapefruit, kumquats, bananas, guavas, avocado, apples, tomatoes, kiwi fruit

VEG: asparagus, baby potatoes, spinach, onions, mushrooms, lettuce, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, gem squash, sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, radishes, garlic

SPRING (Sept to Nov)

FRUIT: sweet melon, cherries, plums, bananas, apricots, naartjies, guavas, kiwi fruit, peaches, grapefruit, kumquats, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, avocado, nectarines, lemons, limes

VEG: sweet potatoes, potatoes, celery, garlic, cucumber, carrots, radishes, asparagus, mielies, pumpkin, green beans, beetroot, rhubarb, lettuce, baby marrow, cauliflower

SUMMER (Dec to March)

FRUIT: apricots, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, figs, grapes, litchis, mangoes, melons, nectarines, pomegranates, watermelon, peaches, plums

VEG: asparagus, brinjal, celery, cucumber, green beans, spinach, chillies, artichoke, baby corn, butternut, sweet melon, baby marrow

AUTUMN (March to May)

FRUIT: avocado, banana, quince, guavas, tomatoes, pears, lemons, oranges, papayas, pomegranates, pineapples, figs, grapes, apples

VEG: broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, garlic, kale, cabbage, gem squash, mushrooms, mielies, sweet potatoes, leeks, sweet peppers, beetroot, onions, green beans, parsley