Shop like a local: Tips & tricks to maximise the value of your grocery trips

Going to the market is a weekly task. However, shopping in your home country, where you already know where everything is, know the prices, and have an idea of when the discount days are, is one thing. Shopping in Australia for the first time when you have just arrived in the country is quite another.

Indeed, we all look for ways to optimize how we do our shopping.

So believe me when I say that these tips will help you save time and money while enjoying the experience of visiting markets in Australia.

Tip 1. Understand that fruits and vegetables are seasonal

In Australia, some fruits are harvested in summer and others in spring, autumn, or winter. If the fruit or vegetable is not in season, you might not find it, or if it is still available, it may be very expensive because there is no production of that product to meet the demand.

For example: the price of broccoli is normally 3-4 dollars/kilo when it is not in season I have seen it go up to 7 dollars/kilo. The same happens with strawberries, blueberries, and fruits like peaches, plums, and nectarines.

Some fruits and vegetables are stored in special warehouses that help preserve them for longer under controlled conditions. These products are then put back on sale when they are out of season but at a much higher price. So if you want to eat fresh, eat “seasonal”.

Tip 2. Visit markets for fruits and vegetables

Markets offer an incredible vibe. Everything is organised into sections and you can also find bakeries and restaurants.

To save money on fruits and vegetables, I recommend going to markets like the Queen Victoria Market, Footscray Market, Box Hill Market, Preston Market. Here you can find fresher fruits and vegetables at a more affordable price. For me, the difference in shopping at markets is in a good quality-price relationship, the food looks fresher, less artificial and symmetrical as seen in the supermarket and the best thing is that there is more variety.

There are other types of finer fresh produce markets, which are great to visit for the variety of food and meals but are a bit more expensive. Among them are the South Melbourne Market, Preston Market, Praham Market, worth a visit even if just to compare prices.

Tip 3. Learn how to choose produce in the markets

Keep in mind that some of the fruits and vegetables at the markets are very ripe or about to spoil and for that reason are discounted. You should look carefully and not just be swayed by the price because believe me sometimes they don’t last long.

Tip 4. Carry cash at the market

Some markets still require cash payments, but it’s much less these days. Carry some coins with you and you won’t miss out on any bargains.

Tip 5. Learn to cook recipes with products available in each season

When the weather changes, the activities to do are different and also the menus change. You will see this in some restaurants or brunch places where a menu is different in each season and the ingredients vary.

You will also see that in winter people are more inclined to stay at home and cook soups because it is too cold outside to go out. So you can get inspired by the free magazines that the big supermarkets release with recipes that you can make for each season.

If you have a freezer use it! You can prepare food one day and store it for the whole week.

Tip 6. Make the most of the discounts at closing time

The discount closing time at the Queen Victoria Market is on Sunday at noon just before closing, where fruits, vegetables, and even fish are left with great discounts. This is because the market is not open every day, so sellers cannot keep all that produce. If you want to try this tip, visit the market at that time and you will be able to take home some good purchases.

Tip 7. Bring a basket or something to carry your purchases

Bring something to pack in, preferably a two-wheeled cart in which you can put heavy items and not have to carry too much weight. These carts can be taken on the tram or train if you don’t live very close to any of these markets. However, boxes are free and you can ask for one as a favour.

Tip 8. Use the mini markets in the suburbs, especially the Chinese and Indian ones.

In some suburbs, there is the option of going to Chinese markets. These consist of a mini supermarket but with mostly products from China. There you will find some standard fruits, and vegetables but also exotic vegetables like radishes, certain types of cabbage typical of China, or different types of mushrooms. You will also find soy sauce, fish sauce, oyster sauce or teriyaki sauce. Plus, there are packages of noodles or Chinese sweets at very reasonable prices. So if one day you want to make Chinese rice I recommend you visit one of these markets.

In the Indian stores, you can find products like grains (lentils, chickpeas, rice) at very reasonable prices. Also a variety of spices like cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, turmeric and everything you need to prepare a good curry at an affordable price.

Tip 9: For personal care products, shop at the big Pharmacies

For all personal care products such as shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste etc, its best to shop at a big chain pharmacy like Chemist Warehouse unless the supermarket has an item on sale. They will often have a bigger range of brands and be much cheaper.

The only exception is if the item you like is on sale in the supermarket - occasionally the personal care products can be sold with huge discounts (up to 50%!) and then you can stock your cupboard with a few months' supply!

My experience

At first, I bought everything at the supermarket because I did not venture to go to the markets. I also didn’t know how to say I wanted a certain thing, until one day someone gave me some of these tips and I was immensely grateful because I started saving money and eating more variedly.

To summarise

It is possible to find fruits and vegetables at affordable prices in Australia. Shopping at the markets is a whole experience, the atmosphere is unique and you can perfectly make this your Sunday plan. You can go for lunch and also do your weekly market shopping.