Every week, I link up to the Frugal Tuesday Tip. I always learn something new, and this month has been no different. Jennifer linked up a post about produce auctions. She lives in Ohio, so I decided to see what my options were in Iowa and attended one on Friday.
What is a produce auction? It’s a sales event with an auctioneer. All kinds of produce is available – seasonal vegetables and fruits in various amounts. Most are grown within 100 miles of the auction location.
How to buy/sell at a produce auction. Every auction is run by its own rules. Typically, buyers and sellers register and get numbers to identify them. Wares are laid out for inspection before and during the event. Bidding happens as for other auctions. An auctioneer announces a lot for sale at a price. Prospective buyers then accept the bids as the auctioneer tries to drive the price up. The highest bidder wins the lot.
Why go. Many reasons
- Food safety
- Low prices
- To supplement your garden’s bounty (especially in times of drought, bugs, storm damage, etc .)
- To support local growers at the wholesale level
- Large quantities – family reunions, canning
- To find unique foods – several varieties that grocers do not carry were at the auction I attended, including hot peppers and eating grapes
- Flexibility – sellers have numbers so you can choose to buy (or not buy)from particular growers
Who can shop there? Anyone – restaurateurs, farmers market resellers, grocers, and regular people of all ages. Every auction will have its own policies regarding payment.
Is it cheaper? That depends on what you want to buy and how many buyers are competing with you. At the auction I attended, prices varied. I’ll write about prices soon.
In general, most things sold at half or less than what grocers charge for corn, green beans, and fruit. However, high demand items like tomatoes were not cheaper. Some items would never be found in a store, like elderberries and heirloom vegetables.
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