Archive for Tips & Tricks

How to Get to Know Produce Managers & Wholesalers to Negotiate Deals on Fresh Produce (Plus, AZ Fruit Reviews)

July 22, 2012 Brian Fruit, Tips & Tricks No comments

This article contains key phrases for:

  • Getting to know produce managers and wholesalers
  • Finding the best quality and deals on fresh fruits and vegetables
  • How to buy in bulk your first time at a produce market
  • What to do to maintain a good relationship as a customer

But first, a quick hello back from Pennsylvania! I have just returned from my 7-week stay in Arizona and have had the experience of a lifetime. I really enjoyed meeting tons of great new people, learning the Uzbek language, walking and hiking around Phoenix with great vistas and breathtaking sunsets, and so much more. (You can check out my entire day by day journal at my blog UzbekBrian if you like.) Having come back home I was inspired to write an article for the site and share some new ideas with you today.

Let me tell you, if you are from the East Coast or elsewhere around the world, you would not believe the amazing availability and prices that I was able to find just within easy walking, driving, or free public transportation around my dorm at Arizona State University. Every time I shopped I was simply stunned at how enjoyable it was to eat a high-fruit diet there. Plus the freshness of fruit works so well in the heat. From what I have gleaned it seems that the West Coast really is the place for me, at least in terms of diet, but I think also in terms of weather, vibe, activities, facilities, and so on.

Here are just some of my favorite fruits I ate while in Arizona:

Phoenix Area Stonefruit Finds

Apriums – around 1.99lb at the Safeway, very good and sweet and velvety
Regular apricots – only 99c or 1.99/lb sometimes! Got a deal on organic for 49c/lb!
Red apricots – 2.99/lb at Safeway, 3.99/lb at Whole Foods, very ripe and juicy!
White peaches – lot of different cultivars, no more than 1.99/lb ever, sometimes 99c/lb
Yellow peaches – also many varieties, sometimes even under 99c/lb and grown nearby
White nectarines – one of my staples. Negotiated 25lb cases for $28 at Sunflower Market
Yellow nectarines – also very good, sometimes very large and sweet. ~1.99/lb
Donut peaches – found at Mekong Supermarket and Sunflower Market for 1.99-2.99/lb
Donut nectarines – found only once at Mekong for 1.69/lb, totally delicious white variety
Sugar plums – found at Mekong sometimes Sunflower for 1.99/lb, varying ripeness though
Honey plums - also only at Mekong, never tried them before, 1.99/lb, not too ripe though
Regular plums - all over any supermarket and usually pretty ripe at 1.59/lb maybe
Red pluots – at Whole Foods probably around 2.99/lb depending when you shopped

Phoenix Area Tropical Fruit & More

Jackfruit – yum yum yum! Had never gotten my hands on any. 1.99/lb cut, 99c/lb whole
Durian – available whole at Mekongfor 2.29/lb I think. Always worth it!
Papaya – Hawaiian papaya, Maradol papaya, and Mexican papaya all for decent prices
Persimmons – tracked down some nicely ripe fuyus at Safeway, a bit pricey though
Figs – cookie-dough-ripe black mission figs at both Whole Foods and Sunflower!
Melons – really great melon selection! Honeydew, canary, hami, and even Uzbek melons
Rambutan – varied a lot in freshness, but found a lot of great red ripe ones at 2.99/lb
Lychees – varying sweetnesses of lychees at Mekong and Super L, not the best I’ve had
Dragonfruit – found white dragonfruit at Mekong and Super L, was decent, not too sweet
Young Thai coconuts – never was into these but got hooked, <1.59/ea sometimes
Grapes – organic green were cheaper than PA regular! As low as 88c/lb, usually 1.99/lb
Cherries – found sweet red cherries for 99c/lb. Washington Rainier cherries 4.99/lb too
Dates – California Medjool dates and lots of others if I looked around more probably
Bananas – burro bananas, apple bananas, and other cool baby bananas were here

Other notes: Also found tons of no-sugar-added tropical fruit pulps at Super L Ranch. They had mamey sapote, cashew fruit, soursop, yellow cherries, and more. Very cool to see! Also some cool canned fruits. (Underline text links to videos). Of course, all kinds of apples, oranges, pears, pineapples, kiwis, berries, and other tree fruits were everywhere and at cheap standard prices. Plus, all the free citrus hanging from trees! I mean, except for maybe eggfruit or some other sapotes, I literally dined on every single of my favorite foods. So grateful. And if you think about it, my Californian nectarines or Mexican mangos could practically be considered local!

Here are some photos from my Instagram @geckogreco:

And here are some fruit-featuring videos at the Brian on Health channel:


Now for the article…

Last time in How to Buy Bulk Fruit at Regular Supermarkets, I outlined some of the most helpful tips I’ve accumulated over the years for getting the best out of produce shopping at your local markets. I always like to emphasize the importance of a good supply of fresh fruits and vegetables for a healthy diet for anyone. If you are like me and eat a fruit-based diet, sourcing high-quality, properly ripe, and reasonably-priced fruit is especially pertinent.

It has taken me almost two or three years on this style of diet to truly fully realize the importance of developing a relationship with produce managers and wholesalers. Though supermarkets can be handy and helpful, hands down the best way to get your hands on a good quantity of good quality produce is to BUY BY THE CASE. The absolute easiest and most enjoyable way to get this accomplished is to actually speak with the people who sell the food you’re looking for and negotiate deals.

On the whole, produce sellers are very friendly people who will be extremely happy to see that you are interested in their product, and lots of it. However, there are a couple things you have to realize when you are shopping this way. These people are usually not involved in customer service, so it is important to be clear about what you are looking for. Anyone who is seriously interested in buying bulk produce should be aware of these 4 things:

4 Things to Communicate to Produce Managers

#1: You need to emphasize exactly how much produce you’re talking about. Really, drive that point home, because for most people, produce is decoration. Whether you are a fruit eater like me, or you want to start a small coop, or you have a large family, or you eat tons of vegetables, or you have a restaurant or personal cooking business, or WHATEVER your situation may be, you must communicate yourself well or you will not be helped and will get neither the product nor the prices you want.

#2: You need to let them know that ripeness and sweetness is essential. I have said it before and I will say it again, RIPENESS IS KEY! YOUR CUISINE AND DIET OVERALL WILL SUCK IF YOU ARE EATING UNRIPE FOOD! DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON AN ENTIRE CASE OF PAPAYAS OR MANGOS TO FIND THEY ARE ENTIRELY GREEN! AND SO ON! Okay, done. Next.

#3: If you are on a budget, you need to be clear about what you can pay. Below we will cover some key phrases if you want to get deals on produce that is just about to go bad and will not be sold, or is perhaps over ripe or unsalable for other reasons. Whether that or you’d just like to focus on more affordable produce with a higher turnover rate like bananas or apples, this will be important to communicate so they don’t end racking you up a giant bill which is not what you had in mind.

#4: If budget is not your first priority, be clear that you are willing to pay, you just need to get hold of the stuff. Sometimes life manifests financial abundance or you have availability in other ways, and it’s not so much the money that’s the problem, it’s that you just need to be able to source the food and must go via someone in order to get it. In this case, tell them: I am willing to pay. I have the money. Now do your job and find me some good fruits and vegetables! Politeness or a small tip doesn’t hurt too. :)

List of Key Phrases for Negotiating Good Deals on Produce

What to say at your first visit to the store:
#1: I’m interested in buying produce in bulk. Do you think you could you help me out?
#2: I was wondering could talk to the produce manager. I have a couple questions.
#3: I eat a lot of fruits and vegetables and it’s important that I find good quality produce.
#4: I have a special diet and eat a lot of fruit. I was wondering if you could help me out.

What to say at your next couple visits to the store:
#1: Hey! The crazy produce guy/girl is back. What do you have in?
#2: Thanks so much for your help the other day. I’ll definitely be in regularly.
#3: Last time _____ was the best. I’d like to pick up some more today.
#4: I got _____ for _____ last time. Could we do that deal again?

What to say when you are a regular customer:
#1: Hey! Back to load up on food. What looks good today?
#2: I’ve been really enjoying _____, do you have any more of those?
#3: I love to eat what’s in season. What do you have in _____?
#4: Got any _____ today? Do you think you could order them for me?

What to say to show your appreciation and maintain a good relationship:
#1: I know you always have something good ready for me here.
#2: Thank you so much for helping me find what I need. I appreciate it.
#3: I am really grateful for your store and helpful service. Thank you.
#4: I always know to come here for the best selection and prices.

If you really want to get some good deals:
#1: Think you could help me out with a bulk discount since I’m buying _____?
#2: I come here often and appreciate any deals you could offer on _____.
#3: I see you have some _____ over there. Could I give you _____ for that?
#4: Any produce about to go bad? Do you think I could take it off your hands?

If you are interested in any special requests:
#1: Eating organic is important to me. What organic produce do you have available?
#2: I’m looking for exotic fruits (give examples). Would you be able to source them?
#3: I know _____ isn’t in season now, but I’m craving it. Is it available for order?
#4: Tropical fruit is my favorite. Could I place an order for _____? What’s the price?

So there we have it. I hope this article has helped inspire you to continue on the journey towards yummy healthy food and get a clear idea of one excellent strategy for getting the food you want at the prices and quality you need. If anyone asks, be sure to tell them Brian Greco at Brian on Health sent you! I’m telling you, I should be a spokesperson for the produce industry! Enjoy.

Question of the day: What’s your favorite fruit? Do you buy in bulk? Do you know your local produce vendors?


8 Simple Tips for Applying the Law of Attraction to Meet New People & Open Up to Opportunity

June 6, 2012 Brian Personal Development, Tips & Tricks 4 comments

What is the law of attraction? It’s a topic with a lot to talk about, a lot shrouded in mystery or stereotype, and unfortunately a lot of BS surrounding it, but it can actually be very simple. With practical tips and examples, this article will seek to better define how you can intuitively approach the law of attraction and use it to your advantage whenever you want to.

Writing this, I’ve just arrived in Arizona for the summer for an intensive language program, and am aiming to keep these ideas in mind as I am learning, interacting, and living in an exciting new environment. At the end of this article is a quick talky blog I recorded last night that shares some of my thoughts on my experience thus far and how I am living the life of my dreams and endlessly grateful for it. (You can follow my journey at my blog, Uzbek Brian, but let’s continue for now.)

In a nutshell, the law of attraction is a mindset shift. It’s a tool you can use to reframe your direction to start “thinking about what you want to bring about”, whether in terms of health, money, love, friendship, work, or wherever else. The law of attraction is empowering because it rejoices in the fact that the universe is entirely in your favor, always mirroring back the same energy you send out.

Honestly it’s just a way of verbalizing that YOU are in the driver’s seat and only you, and that what you focus on grows and affects your life. Accepting it is really a revelation that can drive inspiringly huge amounts of success and gratitude in any area.

If you want to move forward, enjoy yourself, and remove even the need for “shoulds”, fears, hate, and other unproductive modes of being, this article is for you! Plus, whether you like it or not, this principle is at work right now, so better to choose to master it than let it create confusion and a victim mindset based on “luck” or “fate”. So that I don’t completely blow your mind, here are some real, regular tips that I’ve amassed that have helped me and may help you too. :)

Part 1: Prepare Yourself to Accept Opportunity

#1: Start your day with an affirmation of your choice.

This affects your social dynamics hugely! Many people do not like or do not have time to map out every bit of their day, and that is understandable. But in taking advantage of the law of attraction, you don’t have to do tons of work or stick to a strange and unappealing routine.

Simply start your day with an intention. State it in the positive, in the present (the here and now), and make it specific enough that it lets you take action, but not so much that it locks you in. Random example: “Today, I choose to work on my health and relationships. I’ll exercise outside, get in contact with friends, and treat myself to food that is rewarding and nourishing for my body.”

#2: Cool interests are great conversation pieces.

Spend “you” time doing some thing YOU like, no matter what other people think, and work on developing that interest. This may or may not involve meeting new people, but it doesn’t matter, because you’ll have this in your toolbox when you want to call upon it.

This way when you are meeting someone, you can give them a taste of your passion and direction in a friendly, non-confrontational way, and then learn what makes them tick too! Plus, focusing on being involved and engaged will help you attract that same energy.

#3: Take care of yourself.

Eat healthy, exercise, and groom yourself, and you’ll look good even if you don’t (even though you already do, because everyone is beautiful anyway, but still). More tips at the linked text for this tip. You will feel so much more ready to jump towards that high vibe and enjoy others’ company when you take good care of what you need to do.

#4: Body language and placement are everything.

Example: Here at the ASU campus during my time between class, I have a many options of where I could go. But what it comes down to is this: I’m either outside and amidst classmates and other people to meet, or I’m in my room where no one can see or meet me. Surely we need time to recharge and work alone sometimes. But if you want to attract new experiences and people into your life, you will not get far with staying cooped up or looking too busy or uninterested to approach.

This has already worked for me and I’m grateful for taking that little bit of extra energy to put myself out there. Specific strategies that have proven to be effective: sit in a pleasant public area to work, get to class early to chat, add people online in advance, don’t look closed up with headphones or intense business all the time, and much more.

Part 2: Making it (1) Happen, (2) Matter, and (3) Last

#5: Go and say hi.

This might seem like a given, but it’s an important start, especially if you have an introverted preference or have any type of mental blockage keeping you from meeting new people (if you want to). Just go introduce yourself! Name, job, family, location, interests and other simple stuff. What is the absolute worst that could happen? Your first conversation with someone can just be that and it’s okay.

In fact, it’s a great start, because next time you will have had that “pre-info” and “who are you?” or “can I even say hi to that person?” stuff out of the way. If you never initiate contact, you are not taking action and will have more difficulty attracting fun and meaningful relationships.

#6: Just be nice!

Kindness is such an important value. You don’t have to be the richest, smartest, prettiest person every single minute of every day. Keep working at it, and don’t limit yourself, but when you are meeting new people, it is good to take a deep breath and just be nice, instead of smart-ass.

This is one major tip I try to focus on because I have a tendency to let my intensity get the best of me and lose sight of core social values even if my intentions are not bad. A kind person will always attract better things into their life than someone shrouded in misery. Many people may find themselves in this situation, so place extra concentration on modulating this factor when meeting new people.

#7: Eliminate energies which do not lift you up.

There is no reason to feel obligated to tend to the things in your life that hold you back, because they are obviously not working anyway, and some space from them might be beneficial. Whether that be people, actions, habits, places, or ideas you are involved with, take a minute to critically consider the sources which directly influence your thoughts (and hence, your world). To learn more, check out my article How to Identify People Who You Hold You Back Instead of Lift You Up.

#8: Have boundless gratitude.

People do care about you even if they do not always outwardly show it. Most everyone has at least one person in their life who they owe so much to and can share mutual gratitude with to align well with good family relations.

Doesn’t matter who it is: related or unrelated, boy or girl, old or young, and so on. Family and friends are the people who truly care and connect with you, and focusing on giving thanks to these people is so much more fulfilling than picking at flaws, perpetuating arguments, or be untrue or having hidden agendas.

All in all, be the container for the content and people you want to fill your life with. That’s the idea! Much more tips and tricks coming your way here at Brian on Health. From personal development to physical health, I am here as an open book to document and share what is and is not working for me, and how that might play into your unique circumstances. Please subscribe if you are enjoying what you see, and leave me a comment below. I genuinely want to know what you think, bad or good!

Brian Greco

P.S. Here’s that vlog from my Uzbek language channel if you want to check it out:

Question of the day: What tips do you use for meeting people or trying new things?


How to Buy Bulk Fruit at Regular Supermarkets (Save Money, Time & Energy)

May 1, 2012 Brian Fruit, Tips & Tricks 3 comments

Like I always say, to succeed on a healthy diet you need to have an abundant supply of fresh fruits and vegetables on hand. Especially if you are like me and eat a diet based on fruit, you will want to become very in tune with the dynamics of shopping for produce that you enjoy and that makes sense for your lifestyle choices, tastes, and budget.

Learning to shop smart for fresh produce takes practice, and you have to love it. There definitely is a learning curve, but nothing the interested health seeker cannot handle. For me, even many years into eating this way, it truly never gets old to see what will be fresh at the market or where I can find the ripest fruit whose taste is only sweeter when I get a good deal.

First and foremost, let’s make something clear. The way to get the best quality and quantity for your money is to BUY WHOLESALE by the case at large produce terminals. Yes, I’m serious! The places that supermarkets, restaurants, and other large operations buy their produce is where you will want to look.

These large locations are right where the boats and trucks come in with farm-fresh stuff right from California, Mexico, Chile, China, and other regions where fruit commonly is grown. Many facilities allow walk-ins without a merchant account, and if you are nice to the vendors and explain to them what you’re looking for, they will be thrilled that you are interested in their products. (More on this later.)

This is my favorite way to shop and I have had some of my best fruit hauls with this method, as the only fresher way would honestly be picking the fruit right off a tree in your backyard. But I understand this is not realistic or convenient for some people, and is a topic for a whole other article. So today we will be discussing how to source bulk produce at supermarkets and other “regular” consumer stores.

This article will focus particularly on fruit, because vegetables are relatively cheap and easy to find anywhere. Fruit takes a bit more practice and is a much more calorically significant food category that calls for its own method of shopping. Here are 10 important tips to remember about shopping for bulk fruit, and after you’re done, be sure to check out my supermarket reviews.

Tip #1: Remember, fruit is not packaged food.

The most important idea to understand with fruit that precedes any tips for actually purchasing it is that fruit is NOT a packaged food. What I mean by this is that fruit does not have the consistency, or in my opinion, the dullness, of products that stay stocked on shelves for a long time. Fruit is always different each time you buy. No two bags of grapes are the same, and every mango or banana will ripen a little bit differently.

This presents a unique set of challenges for the new buyer, but again is nothing that can’t be figured out with a bit of practice and observation. It makes things interesting to say the least. For example, there will be times when you pick out the PERFECT pear, and there will be also times when you buy a whole bag of them and they’re chalky and rotten. And there will also be times when you buy a large bunch of them, and half are great, half are rotten, and the others are just okay. That’s the fruit industry (and mother nature) for you!

The one fruit I can think of that is almost always reliable and comes ready to eat or is easy to ripen is the banana (eat when spotty), as well as most apples and dates. Grapes, berries, oranges, figs, cherries, melons, and pineapples are all examples of fruits which do not ripen off the tree, so be aware of these. Even so, there is always a difference in the nuances of a fruit’s taste, texture, juiciness, and much more that you can discover.

Tip #2: Understand fruit ripeness.

In general, aim to know how a fruit should look, feel, smell, taste, and even sound when it’s ripe. I will be posting a guide to ripening common fruits on the blog soon, so stay tuned, or just do a quick internet search if you’re not familiar with a given item. It pays off to eat ripe fruit! Your taste buds, digestive system, and body in general will thank you.

To this end, avoid buying any significant quantity of a more expensive fruit if you’re not familiar with its quality just by looking (or trying) before you buy. There certainly have been times I’ve made the mistake of buying some produce that doesn’t ripen or is inedible in other ways. This not only wastes money, it can totally ruin plans for recipes, entertaining, or having enough in stock for the week, especially if you can’t return the items or need to drive far to do so.

Tip #3: Familiarize yourself with seasonality.

Everyone knows that fruit varies by season, yet most people do not pay attention to the importance of seasonality when it comes to the quality and quantity of fruit available. These days, most people enjoy the luxury of almost all types of produce shipped to their markets all year round, but anyone who has lived in more rural areas, has grown fruit themselves, or was there “back then” will know that seasons do matter.

Many seasonality guides are available online and it is fairly intuitive to get to know the seasons. You may already know a few: Oranges in winter, strawberries in spring, cherries or mangos in summer, and apples in the fall. (Another fall favorite for me is persimmons). Check out this link here for more information on seasonality to help you plan your shopping excursions, or find other charts available in many recipe and nutrition books.

Tip #4: Scope out what’s available where.

Without a doubt, different fruits are more popular at different types of markets. You will usually find all standard fruits (bananas, apples, oranges, etc) anywhere you go, but quality, price, quantity, and freshness all will vary. This topic spans an entire other article, and lucky for you I’ve done the work for you right here: Definitive Guide to the Best Supermarkets for Fruits and Vegetables. There you will find comprehensive reviews of the top 10 most common types of supermarkets and produce markets and what you can expect for each one.

Tip #5: Shop at the right time.

With fresh produce, the time of day you shop really has an affect on the quality and quantity of fresh fruits and vegetables you’ll be able to find. Unlike packaged foods, (see #1) which merely matter in terms of if they’ll be on the shelf, produce changes not only in ripeness and freshness within a given day, but the actual choices you’ll have vary hugely.

In other words, you might head to the market fresh and early in the morning and find a lovely display of your favorites, but come 4 or 5pm the same day you might be left with slim pickings. Or contrarily, you might find that your market is hardly even stocked towards the beginning of the day and boasts fresher, more abundant choices in the afternoon. It really depends.

Everyone’s schedule is different, so get to know when your local supermarket restocks and with what. On the whole, avoid going shopping right at closing or opening time, and head towards those time ranges when things are busy but not already picked clean, as this is when they’ll be coming in and out with more to stock.

If you have to shop at odd times or find yourself stuck looking around a lame produce department with an empty cart, assert your abilities as a customer (read: be a pest) and call for the produce manager to get out the new shipments. Let them know that it is important for you to get good quality fruit and you’re not just buying one or two pieces here, you want the good stuff and lots of it. Remember, they are not your friend, they are being PAID to serve you and make sure you find what you need from the store!

Tip #6: Know your prices well.

Long story short, if you don’t know your fruit prices, you’re going to screw yourself over and end up complaining that fruit is too expensive or too much work. Save yourself the frustration and dollars and take a few minutes each time you go to the supermarket to see how the prices change or stay the same for your favorite products. Write them down in a notebook, take a picture on your phone, or memorize them to keep a mental inventory of what fruit ought to cost, so you don’t buy when it’s cheaper elsewhere

Prices can vary not only for the same fruit types, but sometimes LITERALLY for the same companies and freshness (so all you brand-name or organic snobs got nothing on me here!). An example of this: The SAME Dole pineapples at Wegmans for me are $2.99 for a large one when another one at Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods that half the size is also $2.99. Unless you’re short on time or transport, why spend more for less? Know your prices.

Tip #7: Ask! For deals, discounts, special orders.

Get involved with the people who run the place to work the system and get the deals you desire on fresh produce. You are shopping for produce, at a supermarket, in real life. You’re not at an online store or an expensive department store. Like I mentioned in #5, take advantage of customer services at these markets because just like everyone else shopping, you have a right to a pleasant and productive shopping experience too.

Like with any social situation, rudeness will not get you far, so show your interest in a more appealing way by asking about ways you can arrange a win-win situation with you and the market. If it’s a regular supermarket, you can ask what they do with over-ripe (or what I like to call, actually ripe) produce, especially bananas, for starters.

They may have a discount available for you which is sometimes denoted with a yellow sticker or placement in a special bin. Supermarkets sometimes keep to particular protocols for donating unsalable fruit to soup kitchens or other facilities, but you may be able to take it off their hands for free or cheap, especially if it’s a more local supermarket without the regulations and liabilities that come along with larger corporations.

Another option you might look into is to order cases of fruit directly through the produce department of the supermarket itself. I assume this would be a good choice if you live in a more rural area and a supermarket is your closest connection to a good supply of produce (i.e. you don’t live near terminals or larger markets). I know many people who have succeeded doing this and have talked to some produce managers myself. It is merely a matter of them checking off an extra box on their order sheet and arranging an exchange, which might be easily pushed along with a smile or a couple dollars for a tip.

Be persistent with your requests, and seek to talk to the manager or person in charge of produce, as opposed to people working on the sales floor just stocking and pushing products, as they may not know how to best direct your inquiries. That being said, remember that all they can do is all they can do. You might just need to cede to their system and buy by the pound after all, but it never hurts to ask.

Tip #8: Be familiar, consistent, and friendly.

This tip is pretty straightforward: familiarity helps. When you are a consistent, loyal, respectful customer, your position is only better off, especially at local markets where you’ll see the same vendors or even the farmers who are growing the food themselves and want it to go to people who enjoy and know how to appreciate it.

Be that friendly face who comes in every week leaving with a big cart full of fresh, brightly-colored produce. Own it, because most people aspire to be healthy and you can be a positive example! And let the challenges that good produce shopping can sometimes bring be an encouragement to work on your self improvement and get your fitness, bargaining and interpersonal skills up to par so you can get where you want to be with your food supply.

Tip #9: Buy enough to avoid constant shopping.

If you love it and eat it, produce goes quickly. This is something I had to learn the hard way after many a repeated trip to the market to load up on more of the same favorites instead of buying enough at once. When you buy in bulk, particularly at wholesale markets, a fruit and vegetable diet becomes a much more pleasant, fulfilling part of your life instead of a bothersome waste of work.

Budget definitely comes into play with the size of your shops, but you’ll actually most likely save more money the less you shop. The more you go, the more gas you use if you’re driving, and the more random things you’re likely to pick up along the way that you really didn’t need. Load up on your favorite fruit if it’s good and cheap when you go, because you never know if it might be gone tomorrow! That brings me to the next pointer…

Tip #10: If necessary, opt for more of one good thing.

In other words, if your budget is more restrictive and you are faced with buying a little of a lot or a lot of a little, I’d recommend from experience buying a lot of one fruit, IF it’s ripe and good. It depends what you are looking for, but I personally think that it is more worthwhile and appealing to relish in one delicious (preferably seasonal) fruit than to pick at little bits of this and that and end up unsatisfied.

So there we have it.

There are many strategies you can use to save money on fresh produce that I will talk about in the future, such as getting to know farmers, starting coops, freeganism, and so on. But the reality is that most of us shop at regular markets and need tips for getting the most bang for our buck to make food shopping in bulk simple, productive, and enjoyable. Hopefully these pointers will help you get on the right track including the fruits and vegetables your body craves and deserves into your diet, right from the supermarkets you already go to regularly.

Question of the day: What questions do you have about buying fruit? What is your favorite fruit to look for at the market?

Reminder: Be sure to check out where to shop for what at my Definitive Guide to the Best Supermarkets for Fruits and Vegetables.


How to Look Good Even If You Don’t

April 29, 2012 Brian Personal Development, Tips & Tricks 9 comments

Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes. But let’s be real: There are certain standards you should hold yourself to if you want to be productive in society. Whether you like it or not, people judge by appearance. Take some time to wallow over that idea, and when you get over it, join me as we work together with these 10 steps to a better you.

Note: This is all advice I aim to follow myself, that’s why I’m sharing it with you!

First, you must accept that you will not make an impression on people if you do not have any LUCK, and by that I mean Labor Under Correct Knowledge. There is no such thing as overnight success or a pill you can take to look great, but there are still many things you can do to look and feel your best every day from this moment on.

Start with your body. Stand naked in front of a mirror. If you’re not impressed with what you see, time to get to work! Always accept yourself, but don’t settle for less than you deserve as an excuse to be lazy. Looking good naked means feeling happier, healthier and more confident about yourself. Don’t let anyone tell you that’s not true.

To get going, at least walk at a brisk pace for 30 minutes per day around your neighborhood. This is something I do almost every day. Grab your iPod and sneakers, put on a good song, and take some time to collect your thoughts and get your body moving. From here, move on to running. I know, it sucks! But try at least a mile or two at 5-7 mph every day. Or, try cycling outside, or start up with yoga.

When you go overboard with exercise, at best you won’t stick with it, and at worst you’ll injure yourself. Sad but true, consistency is what really matters when it comes to fitness. You are better off exercising a little bit every day and building up from there rather than over-exerting yourself once a week in attempt to be competitive or look like a magazine model.

As you’re working out, remember that every minute you invest in your personal fitness is another drop in the bucket towards a healthier, more attractive new you. There is nothing wrong with shameless vanity if it motivates you to get active. Picture what you want to look like and then write down specific goals to approach your ideal. Think: in just a few months your body will be looking better than ever.

Now let’s talk about your diet, another important aspect of health. This is a topic for a whole other article, but here are some basic tips that I’m sure you know already but may or may not actually apply in your life. You would be surprised how much food affects how you look, feel, think, exercise, study, work, and interact with other people.

Number one most effective step: Cut the crap! Stop eating the things that you don’t need to be told are unhealthy, and then work from there. Random examples: soda, french fries, cookies, chips, greasy food, processed meats, and so on. It is hard to let them go at first, but when you fill up on what your body needs, junk food cravings soon fade.

Bypass the need for diet scams, pills, tricks, gimmicks, and supplements and start eating the real food that has produced the strongest, most fit people for centuries. That means lots of fruits, vegetables and high quality sources of proteins and fats. Don’t forget to drink enough water too! Keep a water bottle with you and always start the morning with water. This is nutrition in a nutshell.

Next step is basic hygiene, people. I say this because I care and want to remind people that simple cleanliness is a huge part of looking good. You don’t have to look like Taylor Lautner or Megan Fox, but you do have to keep yourself groomed. Seriously, if most people just did these baseline things, a lot of relationship and self-esteem problems would disappear.

Brush your teeth at least two times a day and aim for two minutes. Forget fancy products, just get a good electric or regular toothbrush and do it. It matters how well you brush, not what brand of toothpaste you’re using. Floss before bed to get out pieces of food, strengthen your gums, and work towards whiter teeth (it works). If you really have bad breath, use mouthwash. No one likes bad breath.

Get your hair in order, because hair is an important, noticeable, and manageable way to make your appearance appealing. Take a shower every day or at least every other day and use a good shampoo and conditioner to keep your hair looking moisturized but not greasy. When you get out of the shower or get up in the morning, comb your hair so you look like you actually cared to check the mirror before entering the public. These things are straightforward but so often overlooked.

Go to a stylist and ask for tips on getting a nice haircut that suits your style and facial shape. Smooth and classic goes a long way! It’s fun to experiment with weird hairstyles, but my recommendation (after having long hair as a guy for two years) is to just play along with society and save expression for more valuable outlets if you want to attract friends, relationships, money and influence people in a positive way. I’m just being honest here.

Lastly, some miscellaneous tasks to tend to. First off, wear deodorant if you sweat a lot. You could be the nicest one on the block or in your school or workplace but no one will go near you if you smell. Next, clean your nails and keep them cut at a godly length (no nail biting or ridiculous manicures). And finally, work on clear skin with gentle washing, healthy diet, and an acne product if you need it. This is one of my biggest struggles too, so I place priority on it and keep in mind that clear skins means confidence.

Looking good so far! Now to clothe yourself with some clean stuff that FITS YOU. You don’t have to go over the top: a t-shirt, hoodie, and a good pair of jeans and shoes always works in casual settings, and standard Western business attire or “church” clothing will work for more formal events. Clothes really make a huge difference in how you feel about yourself. Keep to your style, but when in doubt, classic works!

There’s much more to say, but to save time and cut to the punchline, people skills are what really matters. When you exuberate a positive impression to the world, people are more likely to like you, listen to you, hire you, work with you, date you, and more. Simple common sense and wisdom on dealing with other people is what holds the test of time.

At the very least, don’t do damaging things. Even if you are not the most suave or intelligent person, it only takes a free, conscious choice to NOT do and say stupid things to people. Just like avoiding the junk food, often the most worthwhile method for personal success is to do no harm. So that means: don’t be rude, don’t make fun of people, and don’t try to “act cool” to get where you want to be.

Give compliments that aren’t overboard. Examples: Hey, I love your outfit, where’d you get it? Hey, your hair looks great! Hey, great job on your presentation today! Hey, I just wanted to say I really am happy to be your friend. Hey, thank you for your support and for being a great listener. Hey, you know, you are really a breath of fresh air! Hey, I think you’re a great person and am honored to know you. Easy, effective, and friendly.

When you talk to someone, look them in the eye and forego all sarcastic or superior tones. We are all guilty of it at times, and it’s fun with friends and family sometimes, but really no one likes “that guy” or “that girl” who always has a snide remark up their sleeve.

And always stand up straight with your two feet on the ground, avoid slouching when you sit in a chair, and project yourself so people can hear you. You’re better off being made fun of for being too loud and confident than being too timid to hear! We want to know what you have to say, but maybe we just can’t hear you!

Last but not least, smile. Better to be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. When you smile, you tell everyone: I am happy with who I am and am happy to be here with you. Let’s have a great time and work together for a healthier, more passionate world. I hope this has inspired you to keep up the good work and continue moving forward with your dreams! Stay strong!

Brian Greco

Bonus tip: When you take photos, be graceful. The photos that get the most likes on Facebook are the ones that show the natural beauty and happiness of you or your friends and family. Duck faces, weird poses, and hand signals just make you look like an idiot. And plus, you won’t need them anymore when you work on your fitness, style, and smile!

Stay tuned for my next advice article: 10 Doable Steps for Getting Your Shit Together Today

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Question of the day: What other tips do you have for being your best you?


Definitive Guide to the Best Supermarkets for Fruits & Vegetables (USA Reviews)

April 25, 2012 Brian Tips & Tricks No comments

Having an abundant supply of fresh fruits and vegetables on hand will help you succeed on a healthy diet. However, it’s important to learn how to shop smart if you want to avoid wasting money, time, and energy in the shopping process. Before talking about how to shop once you’re there, we should answer the following questions:

What are the best places to buy fresh produce?
Where should you go for fruit, and where for vegetables?
What is the difference between all the supermarkets out there?

Join me as we survey over the major types of supermarkets you might choose to source from if you are near my corner of the globe, namely the northeastern United States in the realm of large cities like Philadelphia, New York, Boston, and so on. Many of these are national and international corporations with stores or similar brands all throughout North America and Europe. (And if you’re in Asia, you won’t need them!)

Let’s get this out of the way first: Though they have their place, understand that you don’t have to go to fancy, expensive health food stores if you want to buy healthy food. In fact, some of the biggest wastes of money and lowest quality in produce are actually found at the stores which claim to be the best for a healthy lifestyle! I will touch on this more about this below as we move into our supermarket reviews. Shall we?

Brian’s Review of Major Supermarkets

In no specific order, here are some of the major supermarket and other food supply chains that are commonly found, with an East Coast USA influence. Even if you live in another area of the country or world, you will most likely find that the types of stores are parallel, but may have small differences in availability, price, and brand name.

Note #1: Ratings are from lowest to highest on a 3-point scale and evaluate the overall price range and how convenient and friendly the store is. These are completely biased from my experiences, but they are designed to be honest and helpful to you as I have been going to most of these consistently for years and know them well at this point.

Note #2: I have divided the produce section into the categories below, which I find I subconsciously do anyway when shopping. The gist of these are:

Standards (apples, pears, bananas, citrus), tree fruit (peaches, plums, persimmons, etc), grapes, berries, melons, papayas, mangos, pineapples, exotics (or rather, exotic for American supermarkets: figs, guavas, rambutans, lychees, different varieties of tree fruit, etc), avocados, tomatoes, yams/potatoes, winter squashes, vegetables, lettuces, frozen fruit, fresh dates, bulk (raw nuts, nut butters, dried fruit, etc), and organics in general.

Let’s begin! I will be reviewing the following stores:

  1. Trader Joe’s Market
  2. Whole Foods Market
  3. Standard Supermarkets (Safeway, Wegmans, etc)
  4. Bargain Supermarkets (Pathmark, Aldi, etc)
  5. Bulk Wholesale Clubs (Costco, BJ’s, etc)
  6. “Super” Stores: (Super Target, Walmart, etc)
  7. Produce Junctions and Other Produce Markets
  8. Independent or Family Grocery Stores
  9. Asian Markets (Chinese, Korean, etc)
  10. Hispanic Markets (Mexican, Caribbean, etc)

Review #1: Trader Joe’s Market


Trader Joe’s is a store with a nice feel and strong market going for it. Sort of halfway between the more “intense” health food stores and the more common supermarkets, Trader Joe’s focuses on friendly, proprietarily-branded natural foods and produce, and they’ve got some redeeming features that will make you want to stop by here every so often.

FIGURES
Average overall price range: $$
Average overall convenience: ***
Average overall friendliness: :) :) :)

PROS
Most redeeming features about these stores:

Standards: nice selection of apples, pears, bananas, citrus
Berries: fresh and are usually ripe and always available
Tree Fruit: decent peaches, apricots, persimmons when in season
Avocados, Tomatoes: usually ripe and fresh at a decent price
Fresh Dates: cheap medjool dates are some of the best around
Lettuces: best array I’ve seen of cheap pre-washed lettuces and sprouts
Yams/Potatoes: two or three pound bags are cheap classics
Frozen Fruit: good peeled/chopped frozen mangos, pineapple, berries
Bulk: nice selection of raw nuts/butters, unsweetened dried fruit for travel
Organics: fair amount of organic selection, especially greens and herbs

CONS:
Most likely not worth it if you’re looking for:

Grapes: clamshells only (not available in quantity by pound)
Melons: honeydew and cantaloupe are overpriced for size
Papayas, Mangos: and other properly ripe tropicals are really not here
Pineapples: same price as larger ones in other stores
Exotics: rarely different selections each time you come
Vegetables: small prepackaged only, not available by pound
Winter Squash: often only prepackaged, not so fresh

Review #2: Whole Foods Market



Infamously known as a culprit of high-end prices, and sometimes called “Whole Paycheck” by some foodies and supermarket connoisseurs, Whole Foods is still a place I love dearly for many other reasons. One thing’s for sure: It lives up to its promise and matches quality with its pricetag. You’ll find the best organic selection here undoubtedly.

FIGURES
Average overall price range: $$$
Average overall convenience: ***
Average overall friendliness: :) :)

PROS
Most redeeming features about these stores:

Berries: they’re the freshest I’ve found and worth the money 100%
Tree Fruit: when in season, they’ve got their tree fruit selection down
Papayas: if they have them in, they’re oddly good and not too expensive
Exotics: Whole Foods would be a candidate for figs and other less-seen fruit
Avocados: if you need good avocados now, the supply for your demand is here
Tomatoes: lots of heirloom varieties and always look attractive and ripe
Lettuces: sold by “each” (con) but just too varied and fresh to not include
Vegetables: really excellent kale, collards, and every other root or shoot
Winter Squash: precut or not, every kind in season, top-notch quality too
Yams/Potatoes: if you’re into these, they’re delicious, varied, and affordable
Frozen Fruit: extensive selection including peaches, cherries, bananas, etc
Organics: hands down the widest selection of organics of any supermarket
Bulk: also an asset here: every nut, seed, bean, or dried product out there

CONS:
Most likely not worth it if you’re looking for:

Standards: they have them, but they’re not as cheap and are the same!
Grapes: also usually good, but almost twice the price of other stores
Melons: honeydew, cantaloupe, and watermelon not so hot overall
Mangos: rarely, if ever, ripe, and exorbitantly pricey (except springtime ataulfos)
Pineapples: small most of the time and not justified for price or ripeness
Fresh Dates: same as dry ones in other stores at higher price

Review #3: Standard Supermarkets (Wegmans, Safeway, etc)




These are your standard, go-to supermarkets that are found all around North America and the Western world. They vary in name and quality but usually share some similar features, especially in terms of their produce. Not as bad as they’re cracked up to be, especially by some authors or experts who demonize anything supermarket-related. Remember: It’s what you buy and eat, not necessarily where you buy it, that matters for health!

FIGURES
Average overall price range: $ to $$
Average overall convenience: ***
Average overall friendliness: :) :)

PROS
Most redeeming features about these stores:

Standards: you can count on very fresh apples, oranges, pears, and great bananas
Grapes: some of my best grapes come from normal supermarkets, and cherries too
Berries: decently priced and decently ripe, just make sure to try before you buy
Melons: melons vary always but are relatively high-quality from these supermarkets
Papayas: when they have them, as long as they’re yellow, they’re decent
Pineapples: best place to buy pineapples (especially Wegmans, large for only $3)
Avocados: depends on the store, but there’s a good demand for these here
Tomatoes: standard selection of beefsteak, cherry, grape, roma tomatoes
Lettuces: largest variety of bagged lettuces and decent per-pound heads too
Vegetables: especially Wegmans has really beautiful whole and cut vegetables
Winter Squash: have a variety of whole and chopped squashes year-round
Yams/Potatoes: plump, tasty, and available in bags or by pound year-round
Frozen Fruit: should be able to found a nice selection of sugar-free frozens
Bulk: with the natural food industry growing, supermarkets have upped their bulk

CONS:
Most likely not worth it if you’re looking for:

Tree Fruit: most of the time ridiculously overpriced or just old, unripe
Mangos: except for occasional summertime red mangos, they’re fibrous and unripe
Exotics: they may have some sort of for show, but they won’t be worth the price
Fresh Dates: may be out near bulk section but mostly dried, pitted variety only
Organics: you’ll find some, but mostly just baby lettuces, carrots, apples, lemons

Review #4: Bargain Supermarkets (Pathmark, Aldi, etc)



Keeping to the traditional supermarket layout but catering to a more tight budget, these stores still offer a nice variety of produce that can be a welcome resource if you are looking for good deals and a solid place to buy fruits and particularly vegetables. Not much in the way of natural packaged products, but the demand is growing, so keep these on your radar.

FIGURES
Average overall price range: $
Average overall convenience: **
Average overall friendliness: :) :)

PROS
Most redeeming features about these stores:

Standards: very cheap and easy to find, same standard reliable stuff
Grapes: usually decent and cheap (on sale), sometimes only $0.99-$1.49/lb
Pineapples: gonna be your standard Dole pineapples but better prices
Tomatoes: especially in summer are very cheap, sometimes even local
Lettuces: by pound or bagged is available, not too varied but pretty good
Vegetables: very nice! large selection, good for cruciferous and root veg
Winter Squash: in whole form only usually but tasty and reasonable
Yams/Potatoes: good place to buy these, cheap and long-lasting

CONS:
Most likely not worth it if you’re looking for:

Berries: rarely even present and if so, very overpriced and fringe
Melons: sometimes not present either, and if so, not ripe or overpriced
Papayas, Mangos: rare to find, but may have some okay Mexican papaya
Exotics: not the place to go for these, little to no market for them here
Avocados: sometimes okay, but usually smaller and either hard or rotten
Frozen Fruit: not going to find many or any sugar-free frozen fruits
Fresh Dates: most likely only have packaged, pitted/chopped dates
Bulk: not going to have selection of raw nuts, seeds, or other products
Organics: little to no market for these either, maybe some apples or carrots

Review #5: Bulk Wholesale Clubs (Costco, BJ’s, etc)



These stores are great for bulk deals and large shopping trips, especially for the experienced fruit eater. However, selection can be inconsistent and you will need to pay a membership fee to shop, but it usually doesn’t exceed $40-60 per year, so it’s worth your while. I highly recommend checking out Costco in particular for mangos, grapes, and lettuce.

FIGURES
Average overall price range: $ to $$
Average overall convenience: ***
Average overall friendliness: :)

PROS
Most redeeming features about these stores:

Standards: available in box or large bag quantities for a good price always
Grapes: some of my favorite grapes come from Costco, in 4 lb clamshells for cheap
Berries: great for large quantities of blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, etc
Tree Fruit: when in season I can grab some great deals on peaches and plums
Melons: these will be generally of nice size, quality, ripeness and price here
Mangos: ataulfo mangos at Costco are the reason I joined, best product there!
Pineapples: larger-sized variety are available consistently in quantity for fair price
Tomatoes: Costco in particular has an amazing array of fresh ripe tomatoes
Yams/Potatoes: boxes available for bulk buyers, so no buying per lb of these
Fresh Dates: they may not be fresh per se, but are cheap, large, and still with pits

CONS:
Most likely not worth it if you’re looking for:

Papayas: rarely if ever see papayas and if so, ripeness is lame and price too
Exotics: no market for them here, you will only find traditional familiar produce
Avocados: bags of 4-6 of them are cheap but often hard as a rock or total mush
Lettuces: you will find good romaine and spring mix, but that’s about it (no red/green leaf)
Vegetables: they can be good quality but are very inconsistent and only bagged
Winter Squash: rarely if ever see these here, and if so, only butternut pre-chopped
Frozen Fruit: haven’t investigated it much, but assuming there’s only some berries
Bulk: unless you want 6-packs of standard cereals and granola bars, none here
Organics: pretty much non-existent except for maybe some organic bananas

Review #6: “Super” Stores: (Super Target, Walmart, etc)



Well-known national general store chains like Walmart, Target and (I believe) KMart have stepped up to develop a line of “super” stores in the past decade or so that carry a full line of groceries and fresh produce. While they may not have the most variety, these stores are oases (sometimes the only place around) for many Americans and can definitely be considered as you go about your produce shopping.

FIGURES
Average overall price range: $ to $$
Average overall convenience: ***
Average overall friendliness: :) to :) :)

PROS
Most redeeming features about these stores:

Standards: pretty good oranges, bananas, and bags of apples (chopped or whole)
Grapes: consistent supply of usually clamshelled green and red grapes
Berries: also consistent supply from reliable growers with good ripeness
Pineapples: almost always available and at a nice price actually
Tomatoes: tomatoes are one of the better vegetables that you’ll find here
Yams/Potatoes: bags of Idaho or russet potatoes as well as some sweet potatoes
Lettuces: lots of prepackaged salad mixes but also some heads and packs
Frozen Fruit: surprisingly good yet still semi-limited selection of berries, mangos, peaches

CONS:
Most likely not worth it if you’re looking for:

Tree Fruit: hardly ever would find any peaches, plums, or persimmons, let alone ripe
Melons: may have a few cantaloupes and honeydews for fun, but lower quality
Exotics: little to no market at all for exotics, only going to find regular stuff
Avocados: in smaller availability and usually under or over ripe and pricey
Winter Squash: going to be very sporadic and seasonal and lower variety
Vegetables: prepackaged mostly, not a particularly great place to source these
Fresh Dates: never seen any good quality dates at these stores at this point
Bulk: you may find a few Larabars or nut butters but not much in the way of bulk
Organics: it’s amazing they even have produce, not gonna find organics much

Review #7: Produce Junctions and Other Produce Markets

If you’re looking for clean-cut, primped produce that is carefully arranged with that polished look, you’re not going to find it at these bare-bones produce markets. But don’t despair, their deals on fruits and vegetables can be very refreshing, so it’s easy to forgive the lack of atmosphere and enjoy fresh quality from a high turnover rate, and a possible resource for bulk or wholesale-quantity deals if you get to know the owners.

FIGURES
Average overall price range: $
Average overall convenience: *
Average overall friendliness: :) :)

PROS
Most redeeming features about these stores:

Standards: very cheap! I’ve seen the best deals on apples, pears, etc here
Grapes: either by pound or pre-bagged, you can count on finding good grapes
Tree Fruit: particularly peaches and nectarines are usually available
Melons: if they have them, they tend to be on the better side and larger
Papayas, Mangos: inconsistent but when they have them, good enough to make “pro”
Pineapples: on the cheaper side and going to be the same also
Exotics: good places to find rarer fruits and vegetables for cheap
Tomatoes: if you’re a tomato lover, get your fix at produce markets
Lettuces: I love to find cheap, sometimes local head lettuces here
Vegetables: lots of great peppers, eggplants, cucumbers, mushrooms, etc
Winter Squash: abundance of whole squashes and pumpkins here in autumn
Yams/Potatoes: usually by the pound, you’ll find some great tubers here

CONS:
Most likely not worth it if you’re looking for:

Berries: inconsistent and probably over-priced if even available
Avocados: can be okay, but in my experience either hard or rotten
Frozen Fruit: I’ve yet to find frozen fruit at any of these stores
Fresh Dates: I’ve yet to find fresh dates either, may be dried/sugared
Bulk: most produce markets don’t even have bulk stuff, and if so, it’s limited
Organics: especially if you want organic greens, they’re not common here

Review #8: Independent or Family Grocery Stores


Many small towns and cities alike have a significant market for food shopping in the way of independent grocery stores that vary in size, price, and quality, but are still worth looking at, especially if it’s all that’s close to you. These may include gourmet or health food stores, but also just local family-run supermarkets with small but usually well-kept produce sections.

FIGURES
Average overall price range: $$ to $$$
Average overall convenience: **
Average overall friendliness: :) :) :)

PROS
Most redeeming features about these stores:

Standards: sometimes the best part of these stores, always well kept
Grapes: grapes will be nice and fresh hopefully but may be a little more per lb
Berries: berries are almost always present with good quality reliable brands
Tree Fruit: when in season, peaches and nectarines appear here consistently
Melons: melon selection should be pretty nice, particularly watermelon
Avocados: avocados are usually ripe or able to be ripened easily here
Tomatoes: nice selection of traditional varieties like beefsteak and cherry
Lettuce: clean, organized selection of lettuces including packaged varieties
Yams/Potatoes: should be a decent place to buy these at a good cost per lb
Fresh Dates: I’ve often seen fresh or at least high-quality medjool dates here
Bulk: you may well find some of your favorite bars, nuts, and other products here

CONS:
Most likely not worth it if you’re looking for:

Papayas, Mangos: most small grocers don’t understand how to sell/ripen these
Pineapples: going to be smaller and less consistent, probably double price
Exotics: little to no market for these here, so you will not find them most likely
Vegetables: can be pretty limited and not worth your while for bulk buys
Winter Squash: may have a few for show but most likely way more expensive
Frozen Fruit: no market for stocking sugar-free cut fruits, so look elsewhere
Organics: may have fringe items like apples or carrots but not many organics

Review #9: Asian Markets (Chinese, Korean, etc)


Asian markets are usually bustling and quite fascinating places that cater to an impressive variety of Asian cultures and cuisines. They are a sight to be seen, but keep in mind that you may encounter challenges with language, product familiarity, or just standards of cleanliness or pretty much anything you consider “normal” for a grocery store.

However, vendors are usually knowledgeable and will help you if you are clear and attempt to show interest if there’s a language difference. Asian markets are especially exciting for exotic fruit lovers like me who will hunt for hours and learn Chinese or Thai if it means durian or rambutan for dinner!

FIGURES
Average overall price range: $ to $$
Average overall convenience: *
Average overall friendliness: :)

PROS
Most redeeming features about these stores:

Tree Fruit: usually very good! peaches, persimmons, plums, loquats very popular here
Melons: melons are another favorite in Asian cultures and are decently sized/ripe
Mangos: your best bet is champagne mangos which are another favorite and cheap
Exotics: AMAZING! the only place for durian, rambutan, mangosteen, lychees, etc
Vegetables: very interesting part of shopping here, lots of cabbages, roots, etc
Winter Squash: also great selection usually with kabocha squash and others

CONS:
Most likely not worth it if you’re looking for:

Standards: they will have them but they are usually of poor quality overall
Grapes: I’ve never gotten good grapes here, always very chalky and seedy
Berries: same thing with berries, it’s very hard to come by good berries here
Papayas: papayas are not popular in East Asian cultures, may be in Thai markets
Pineapples: same pineapples and they’re usually smaller and less ripe
Avocados: avocados are not popular either, and are non-existent or overpriced
Tomatoes: tomatoes are usually very under-ripe (almost green) or low quality
Lettuces: very questionable, sometimes full of sand/grit and not worth the effort
Yams/Potatoes: not the best place for these though you may find some
Frozen Fruit: most likely not sugar-free, but you may find frozen durian pods!
Bulk: non-existent, and if so, very old and not what you’d be looking for
Organics: non-existent from what I’ve found over the years

Review #10: Hispanic Markets (Mexican, Caribbean, etc)


Hispanic markets usually resemble a combination of traditional produce markets as well as an admittedly pretty cool-looking selection of beans, rice, pastas, chilis, spices and frozen or packaged products (along the lines of Goya). Their produce can be very good but can also be poor, largely depending on the turnover rate and if it’s well-kept and well-featured. A great place especially for papayas, mangos, avocados, tomatoes, and vegetables.

FIGURES
Average overall price range: $
Average overall convenience: * to **
Average overall friendliness: :) :)

PROS
Most redeeming features about these stores:

Standards: their bananas and oranges should be good, may have plantains
Grapes: grapes are usually good quality and fair prices, varied
Melons: melons, particularly watermelons, should be cheaper and riper here
Papayas: best place for papayas, and you may find several ripe varieties
Mangos: mangos in season here are cheap, ripe, and delicious almost always
Pineapples: pineapples are going to be standard but may be cheaper
Exotics: another candidate for some rarer fruits like guavas or weird citrus
Avocados: these guys love their guacamole! you’ll find a lot of ripe, good avos
Tomatoes: tomatoes should be delicious here, and most likely very cheap
Vegetables: cool to find some new vegetables from various cuisines at cheap
Yams/Potatoes: you’ll find these, plus interesting roots like ñame or taro
Bulk: bulk is good for beans, rice, spices, etc but not so much for nuts/seeds

CONS:
Most likely not worth it if you’re looking for:

Berries: going to be harder to find and most likely overpriced or acid unripe
Tree Fruit: not the place for peaches, plums, apples, pears, or cherries really
Lettuces: questionable quality, may be dirty and not worth the $0.50 you might save
Winter Squash: they might have a few squashes but probably not much overall
Frozen Fruit: rarely ever have frozen fruit (except in sugared or juiced form!)
Fresh Dates: dates would be non-existent here or only packaged and pitted
Organics: pretty much unheard of in these markets, may have some apples

Summary: Best Stores for Each Category of Produce

As you will notice, each of the fresh produce categories appears both in “Pros” and “Cons” sections depending on the store. That’s both a beauty and a burden of shopping for fruits and vegetables: You’ve got to shop around to get the best of all worlds if you want a variety of good quality items. It’s what keeps it exciting, but is also sometimes a pain.

No need to worry, though, as you can just narrow down what is most important to you and focus on that. For me, it’s large quantities of tropical fruit and other satisfying fruits like grapes and stone fruit, so I head to the bulk clubs and produce terminals as much as possible.

Your focus may be different. Random examples: vegetable lover (definitely head to Whole Foods or produce markets), McDougall dieter (regular supermarket for potatoes and other starches), or banana- and date-eater (cheap supermarket for discount bananas and bulk).

Here are the best places for each category, tabulated for easy reference:

Standards: Almost anywhere, particularly standard and produce markets
Grapes: Standard supermarkets or Costco
Berries: Whole Foods, standard supermarkets
Tree Fruit: Asian markets, produce markets
Melons: Standard supermarkets, Costco
Papayas: Hispanic markets, Whole Foods
Mangos: Hispanic markets, Asian markets, Costco
Pineapples: Standard supermarkets, Super stores
Exotics: Asian markets, Whole Foods
Avocados: Hispanic markets, Whole Foods
Tomatoes: Produce markets, Costco
Lettuce: Standard supermarkets, Whole Foods
Vegetables: Bargain supermarkets, Whole Foods
Winter Squash: Standard supermarkets, Produce markets
Yams/Potatoes: Bargain supermarkets, Standard supermarkets
Frozen Fruit: Whole Foods, Super stores
Fresh Dates: Trader Joe’s, Costco
Bulk: Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s
Organics: Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s

So there we have it.

Which one wins for me? For fruit, probably Costco or produce markets. For greens, probably Wegmans or Whole Foods. Thanks for reading and I hope my nerdy habit (read: obsession) of spending hours at supermarkets over my years has proven useful to you and that you will be inspired to shop smarter and buy in bulk to reap the benefits of fruits and vegetables in your life.

Also, if you were curious, I hope this has been helpful to understanding how I would personally shop when I‘m at supermarkets, as I get many questions on this topic when people find out what my diet looks like. So guys, this is what I do when I walk into the produce section of a regular supermarket if anyone was curious.

If there is one thing to take home from this article, it’s to know your prices and BUY RIPE FRUIT! By voting with our dollars to increase demand for quality produce, we can really make a difference and help co-create a world that is ever more supportive of health for everyone.

Question of the day: How do you source your food? Do you have any favorite fruits or vegetables?

Continue to Part 2 (for Once You’re There): How to Buy Bulk Fruit at Regular Supermarkets