I live for days like this. Where I see Fred Meyer or another store is having an almost ridiculous sale on a fruit item that is only saved for ‘sale buying’.

Pineapple is one of those special fruits. Today they were 10 for $10. I didn’t need to buy all 10 but why not? We sure eat them and I can cut and freeze them when they’re at their ripest for much less than I would pay even at Trader Joe’s. I remember last year when we moved to Oregon from Illinois and heading out to pick up some pineapple, I was astounded that they were small and $3.99 a piece. In Illinois they were ranging from $0.99 – $1.50.

What was the deal? Oregon is way closer to anything tropical i.e. California, Mexico, and Hawaii.

Portland is definitely about locality and seasonal buying, even when it comes to their ‘big chain’ grocery stores – which is something I’m still getting used to. That is one of the reasons we moved here after all. I’ve noticed in the last few weeks that organic apples haven’t been available for the perfectly good reason that it is not apple season. Today I gave in and bought a few conventional apples. I’m not an organic snob and do buy much of my produce from the conventional shelves but when you really look at the difference between an organic apple and a regular apple, the decision is made. Berries, nectarines, and peaches are just some of the fruits that are taking over the produce ‘showcase’ space.

Since our normal trip to the store is by foot with a trek of a little over .5 mile (one way), I decided today would be a zipcar day. I reserved the car for an hour. Contemplated my grocery list, trying to think of all the heavy things I don’t normally acquire on a standard outing and headed out. I set my timer for 20 minutes upon arriving at the store (I could do longer next time); see I was nervous about getting the list done, checked out, dropped off at the apartment, and returning the car all within the strict confines of an hour.

Having a list and a time limit sure cut short any impromptu purchases I would normally daydream over before rationalizing and placing them in my cart. The other blessing on my side was I went between 10:30 and 11:30 am. A nice midday time, where produce shelves are being stocked and nobody has taken their lunch break yet.

Other items I save for zipcar days:

• 10lb bags of potatoes
• any bags of citrus fruit (oranges, grapefruits, lemons, etc)
• more than 2 bunches of bananas
• any glass jarred item, like olives ::swoon::
• supplies for sauerkraut (3 heads of cabbage and 2lb bag of carrots)
• 5lb bag of yellow onions
• BIG container of orange juice
• anything cosmetic or cleaning related

Even the clerk noticed all of the ‘heavy’ items. Yup, it’s a zipcar day.

Since I refuse to buy pineapple at $3.99 a piece – the most expensive I’ll go is $2.50 – I’m so glad this amazing sale was taking place and I was aware of it.

What is your limit or price cap for a certain fruit or vegetable?

XOXO