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

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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

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

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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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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