Depending on where you live, seasonal fruits and vegetables will differ by region. Keeping a price book will also help clue you in as to when you should stock up on a good deal. Typically grocery stores’ prices will cycle every 12-15 weeks, meaning you should stock up on a 3-4 month supply of non-perishable goods when you see prices hit rock bottom. Holidays, long weekends, and other occasions are also reason to look for certain deals. Here is a general guideline to sales (although every store is different):

January
Fruits: oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit
Pre-Superbowl: Snacks like chips, salsa, pretzels, and soda

February
Valentines’ Day: Candy

March
St. Patrick’s Day – Corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, carrots
Frozen foods

April
Easter – Ham, potatoes, etc.
Kosher foods
Eggs

May
Cinco de Mayo: Mexican foods
Pre-Memorial Day Sales: Buns, hot dogs, meats for grilling, ketchup, mustard, pickle relish, sodas
Fruit: cherries, pineapples, apricots

June
Meats for Grilling, soda, other “summer” theme items like ice cream
Dairy products
Fruit: Berries like raspberries, strawberries, blueberries
Veggies: corn, lettuce

July
Meats for grilling
Ice Cream (National Ice Cream Month)
Fruit: watermelon, strawberries, blueberries, peaches, apricots, kiwi, raspberries, plums, tomatoes
Veggies: cucumbers, summer squash, corn, green beans, lettuce

August
Back to School: Lunchables, drink boxes, snacks, etc.
Fresh fish
Fruit: Watermelon, strawberries, cantaloupe, peaches, tomatoes
Veggies: cucumbers, corn, tomatoes, summer squash, green beans, lettuce

September
Fruit: apples
Veggies: pumpkins, tomatoes

October
Candy
Fruit: cranberries, apples, pomegranates, grapes
Vegetables: sweet potatoes, pumpkins, winter squash, broccoli, spinach, lettuce

November
Leftover candy from Halloween (freeze to use in holiday baking)
Thanksgiving: Turkey, stuffing, cranberries, green beans, jell-o, etc.
Baking supplies: sugar, flour, frosting, nuts, etc.

December
Baking supplies: sugar, flour, frosting, nuts, etc.
Holiday Meats: Turkey, ham, beef brisket
Veggies: sweet potatoes, mushrooms, potatoes, canned veggies

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P.S. Let me know if you have anything to add to my list!

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Read my Mommysavers Blog: Forget the Joneses
NEW! Check out the Mommysavers Fan Page on Facebook

Thanks for sharing this. I have always wondered when was the best time to buy.

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In this life we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love.Mother Teresa

Ice cream is usually on sale in the summer months, too. Since we're talking about the essentials!

March:
Frozen food sales

April:
Jewish foods
Eggs

June:
Dairy

August:
Fresh fish

September:
Canned goods

October:
Candy

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Thanks! I've added everyone's suggestions to the master list.

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Read my Mommysavers Blog: Forget the Joneses
NEW! Check out the Mommysavers Fan Page on Facebook

Also, if you have more than one major grocery store chain, I have noticed that what one had on sale this week, the other will have on sale next week. This isn't always true, but has happened a lot with pantry items especially.

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Brandy, SAHM to Jodi & Andrew

Is when you get the best prices of the year on lean Cuisine and diet foods...

Cinco De Mayo(May 5th)....lots of mexican foods on sale

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Thanks! Some I knew but others I didn't.

Jane