A Year of Stocking Up: October's Best Buys

 

October is such a lovely month!  It is one of my favorite months of Fall.  But it also challenges me a little.  After summer's plentiful and varied crops, I always think that October has fewer good things to offer us.

Part of my reason for starting this series is because I tend to focus on what I think is cheap: potatoes, carrots, cabbage, onions, apples and oranges.  I think there must be many more foods available that are in season and worth looking for.  I'll be interested to see what prices look like on these items, too.  

Produce

Acorn Squash

Apples

Arugula

Beets

Broccoli

Butter nut Squash 

Cabbage

Carrots

Cauliflower

Chard

Cranberries

Dates

Delicata Squash

Ginger Root

Grapes

Green Beans

Kale

Mushrooms

Parsnips

Pomegranate

Pumpkins

Spaghetti Squash

Citrus

This month is one of the biggest citrus producing months.   You should expect to see:

Valencias

Lemons

Limes

Navel 

Mandarins 

Grapefruits

Meats

Pork is traditionally slaughtered in the autumn months.  Pork cuts to look for are shoulder cuts, and loins.  

Beef: look for Chuck Roasts, brisket and ground beef.  Most of the roasts that are best priced are well suited to slow cooking which is another bonus this time of year. Now that grilling season is past, you're likely to find really good prices on some steak cuts, too.   

Remember as well that you can have sale priced roasts turned into ground meat at no extra charge in most stores. 

Chicken may be a little lower as the stores begin to make room for turkeys.  

Lamb and turkey may well be on sale this month as well as both are enjoyed during the Jewish holidays that fall in this month.  

Other Purchases:

Makeup, Hair and beauty products.

Halloween goodies.  It's true that candy will be far better priced this month as stores push for Trick or Treat and Harvest Festivals.  I've tried to wait for the 'after' sales but the past few years the shelves were bare by Halloween Day so there were no after sales to be had.

The same site suggested Halloween decor would be a great buy as well.  I don't know because I've never bought any!  We made our own when the kids were home.  Same with costumes.

Backpacks.

Shoes.

Camping equipment.

One site continued to list pool and patio items.  I can't imagine much is left at this point of the year.

I found information on seasonal sales in October scarce overall.  Many sites I viewed mentioned a store-by-store sales and discounts and pre-black Friday sales. 

Preparing Ahead:

One thing that John and I look for this time of year is caramels.  I don't know how it is in other places but Kraft and Brach's only stocks caramels in the autumn months here in our area.  I try to buy a couple of bags and always tuck one or two away.  

In November and December, we will start to see the best buys on most holiday related food items (like turkey, ham, Prime Rib and Rib Roasts).  But this month we should start to see canned pumpkin, cranberry sauce, stuffing mixes, sweet potatoes and more coming on the market.  All of these things will last quite a while, so stock up!  Work out your holiday menus now and buy those items that typically are required.  I know I'm going to need Raspberry Jello for Bess's favorite Cranberry dish, so I try to make sure I have at least enough for one recipe in the pantry.  I'll buy more Jello when the holidays are near because pudding and gelatin will both go on sale then, but just in case the budget is tighter than I expect, I'll already have those items on hand.  I don't mind subbing in a whole roasted chicken if I have to but doggone it, give me my favorite side dishes!

And now is the time to start to look for your dried and candied fruits and spices for holiday baking.

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