Best local produce prices: reader tips
So many readers shared tips about where to get great prices on produce and groceries that I wanted to highlight some of them.
A reader named ronit said:
"One of the best markets in the valley is Valley Produce at 18345 Vanowen st in Reseda. Tel # 818 609 1955. Great fruits, veggies, they have great deli service and meat dep and lots of middle eastern products. Worth going there."
Kathie said:
"Farm Boy on Hazeltine and Riverside (across from Trader Joe's) has great produce and really reasonable prices. It's the one thing I truly miss since I moved from the valley 2 months ago. They have everything the farmers markets have plus sushi and yogurt. I love them!"
Hilary said:
"El Super, on Sherman Way near Coldwater, not only has great produce prices generally, but they have "Frutas Miercoles ", or "Fruit Wednesday". Every Wednesday they put 6-8 produce items on extreme sale (how about strawberries $1/lb in October???)."
Runnergal said:
"Sunland Produce in Sun Vally is also a great place to buy produce. The address is 8840 Glenaoaks Blvd."
Thanks for all the suggestions, my friends!
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About The Bargain Hunter
Daily News staff writer Julia Scott loves to find bargains on everything from groceries to Gucci. Her tips will help keep your hard earned cash where it belongs - in your pocket.
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We stumbled across the hispanic-format stores many years ago through ownership of rental properties.
Of course, these stores produce are not on par with Gelson's, Whole Foods, Bristol Farms or Henry's.
However, as compared to the big chains of Albertsons, Ralphs, Vons/Pavilions, Stater Bros., they offer quality as good as (sometimes better than) the chain stores at prices that are at least 30% or more (depending on the item) less expensive.
Nice to see some new options when I'm in the valley.
One poster mentioned El Super and their "day of the week" specials. Tresierras also has separate one-day sales on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in addition to their weekly specials. They have stores in Pacoima, Santa Clarita/Newhall, Santa Paula and Oxnard.
We also stop at Superior and Vallarta. Out in the San Gabriel Valley and the Inland Empire, we will stop in at Big Saver Foods, El Tapatio and Cardenas.
At first look, some of these stores may not be in the most desirable areas and often times appear to be cast-offs of where a big chain store was formerly housed, but so far, we haven't run into any problems.
I realize these stores may not be for everybody. Of course, 99c Only Stores is a good back-up, taking into consideration previous opinions on this blog in regard to their produce, look at it carefully before purchasing.
Talking about produce, anyone catch the whole pineapple on sale this week at Ralphs for .99c each, not per pound? That's a "hot" buy!
SO_CAL_RETAIL_SLUT
To those who bake a lot this week Figueroa Produce next to 99 Cents Store in Highland Park has bulk butter for $1.99 (Altadena). They also have Peacns at a better price than Whole Foods.
Great tip, thanks! ~Julia
Ever since the last big supermarket strike I have abandoned the Big 3 (Ralph's, Albertson's & Von's) in favor of the 99 Cents Only stores, Vallarta Markets, TJ's and a great "International Market" in Granada Hills in the shopping center where TJ's is located(San Fernando Mission & Balboa). It's CRIMINAL what the markets charge in comparison to the places I go to now! Cilantro SHOULD cost no more than .20 a bunch and not .89 like Ralph's charges!!! After the strike I have NO loyalty left to the Big 3!!!