15 Things To Know Before Buying Costco Fruits & Vegetables (Are They Fresh + More)

Costco has made a name for itself in the grocery business by selling in bulk at jaw-dropping low prices, but are these fruits and vegetables worth it?

If you’d like to find out, read below for 15 things to know before buying Costco fruits and vegetables!

15 Things To Know Before Buying Costco Fruits & Vegetables In [currentyear]


1. There are Fresh Costco Fruits and Vegetables.

Costco is a purveyor of fine, fresh fruits and vegetables. In fact, Costco houses an entire produce department with fruits and vegetables that are considered to be very high quality.

For example, one Costco employee in Minnesota stated: “Our produce department is one of the best in the business.”

2. Costco Also Stocks Organic Fruits and Vegetables

MomOnTheClock posted their list of the best organic produce you can pick up from Costco.

Some of this produce includes the following:

  • Strawberries
  • Spinach
  • Apples
  • Grapes
  • Cherries
  • Tomatoes

Note that these are all peel-less items whose skin, if sprayed with pesticides, is most likely eaten by us.

3. Prices for Costco Fruits and Vegetables are Great

Organic or not, the fruits and veggies in Costco’s produce department are priced quite reasonably, often lower than your typical grocery store.

For example, a bag of romaine lettuce hearts at Costco comes out to 75 cents each (you get six) while at Kroger, a bag of three for $3.75 means you’re paying $1.16 each.

Additionally, bananas at Costco come out to 56 cents per pound, while costing 59 cents per pound at Kroger.

In the organics arena, a package of baby carrots at Costco will set you back at just $1.37 per pound, while organic baby carrots at Kroger come out to $1.49 per pound.

However, Costco doesn’t always have the lowest prices, as the broccoli stock comes out to $1.99 per pound, while Kroger manages to underprice Costco in this instance, at $1.89 per pound.

You’ll find other little instances where this is true, but for the most part, you are getting a great deal when you buy your produce at Costco.

4. You’re Buying a Lot Of Costco Fruits and Vegetables at Once

There is one huge caveat, recognized the world over, to buying Costco fruit and vegetables: it’s a warehouse, buy-it-in-bulk store, and that includes your produce.

In other words, if you want baby carrots, you’re stuck buying two pounds worth at once.

5. Only Pick up the Costco Fruits and Vegetables That You Know You’ll Eat

Unless you’re shopping for a party or you have a larger family, only shop the produce department at Costco if you’re sure you will eat it all.

If you don’t, you end up throwing it away, as such large quantities may be difficult to eat or cook before the food begins to turn.

6. Employees Might Warn You Off Of Buying Costco Fruits and Vegetables

Costco employees have spoken up about buying fruits and veggies from the store. In an article for The List, one Costco manager even described buying produce from the chain as a “waste of money.”

Ultimately, though, it’s only a waste if you go into Costco’s produce section with the same mindset as you’d have when buying fruits and veggies from a regular grocery store.

7. Some Costco Fruits and Vegetables are Known to Last Longer Than Others

7. Some Costco Fruits and Vegetables are Known to Last Longer Than Others

Some websites might warn you away from buying Costco’s avocados (you get five for $6.49), but Reader’s Digest thinks they’re a terrific buy.

The reason, they report, is that Costco has teamed up with Apeel Sciences to improve the shelf life of this delicious fruit.

Costco avocados now last twice as long as others, which – if you are any kind of avocado enthusiast – will make it much less frantic to use before they begin to rot.

8. Try Some Of the Tropical Costco Fruits and Vegetables

In addition to regular fruit, Costco also stocks tropical fruits like kiwis and plantains, both of which Costco sells and are worth picking up next time you’re in a store.

9. Ready-Made Veggie Trays in the Costco Fruits and Vegetables Section 

The Costco fruits and veggies department is also chock-full of convenient options, such as their pre-cut veggie trays with ranch dressing.

You’ll receive a full 18 oz. ( a little more than a pound) of dippable, fresh goodness, perfect for a family snack or an impromptu gathering.

10. You Can Buy Single Mini Watermelons in the Costco Fruits And Vegetables Section

Costco sells adorable mini (and seedless) watermelons, so if you’re just one person or a small family, you aren’t hard-pressed to finish one.

11. You Can Buy and Freeze Garlic from Costco

Because Costco sells garlic in a two-pound bag, you may be thinking, “How will I use all the garlic before it goes bad?”

However, the magic of garlic is that you can freeze it! You can even pull cloves off as you use them and put the rest of the bulb back in the freezer to keep.

12. There are Some Fresh Costco Fruits and Vegetables You’ll Want to Avoid

Shopping experts say the foods listed below are some of the items with shorter shelf-lives at Costco that will likely go bad before you eat them all:

  • Spinach
  • Berries (especially if they’re already ripe when purchased)
  • Peaches (these can become overripe and spoil fast)
  • Asparagus (if you haven’t smelled rotten asparagus from your vegetable crisper drawer, avoid the unpleasantness by skipping this veg at Costco)

13. Some Organic Costco Fruits and Vegetables are Grown by the Company

Costco actually owns organic farms, so some of the products you purchase were grown by Costco farmers. Not only is this a more reassuring farm-to-shelf process, but it also helps Costco keep its organic prices low.

14. If You’re Ordering Costco Fruits and Vegetables Online, Be Picky

You can order your groceries from Costco online using Instacart, but did you know you can also include instructions for your shopper?

So, if you want your shopper to grab the least ripe bananas they can find while shopping in the produce department, leave them a note.

Add the item to your cart, and then go to the cart. Under where the item is listed, you should see a pencil icon and the phrase “edit instructions.”

15. Can’t Eat Your Costco Fruits and Vegetables in Time? Consider Buying Frozen Or Canned

In addition to fresh fruits and vegetables, Costco also carries an abundant selection in its canned and frozen sections, including organics.

If you find that you’re throwing out fruits and vegetables faster than you can eat them, it might be time to make the switch to the canned or freezer aisles for some produce.

To learn more, you can also check our posts on whether or not Costco delivers, when does Costco restock, and things to know before buying Costco beef.

Conclusion

Costco fruits and vegetables are a high-quality, affordable deal if you shop the produce department with some discernment. Don’t buy what you know you won’t use up in time, and research some best practices for storing produce to extend their shelf lives.

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Marques Thomas

Marques Thomas graduated with a MBA in 2011. Since then, Marques has worked in the retail and consumer service industry as a manager, advisor, and marketer. Marques is also the head writer and founder of QuerySprout.com.

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