Juicing on a budget - part 2 - Sourcing your juicing produce

Cheap juice doesn't have to mean reduced quality juice. In part 1 of juicing on a budget we looked at what types of produce to use and when to use them. In this second of a three part series or articles we will look at where to source your fruits, vegetables and herbs.

Grow your own fruit and veg

Growing your own fruit and vegetables won't only save you money, it will give you a great sense of satisfaction as well as enabling you to be sure about the growing conditions, pesticides, fertilisers and insecticides that have been used on the produce you juice. Find out more about growing your own vegetables and fruit.

If you have a successful crop and have excess amounts of some of your produce then you can barter with other locals who grow their own. If you can't find anyone to barter with then you can either freeze the produce or try selling it at your local fairs and markets.

If you don't have the time to take care of a vegetable plot or herb containers then why not get yourself a couple of fruit trees? Once established fruit trees require very little maintenance and are some of the heaviest croppers there are. You can find many types of fruit trees at your local garden centre including damsons, plums, apples and pears. For the more adventurous you can also now easily get hold of lemon, lime and olive trees although these will need to be in a heated indoors area over winter. If your local garden centre doesn't stock what you want then try looking for an online supplier who will deliver.

Use local markets

You will find many bargains to be had at local markets and fairs including a good proportion of organic produce that is suitable for juicing. Organic produce seems to automatically have a 'fashionable tax' applied to it in the supermarket just as designer items would in a clothes shop.

At local markets such as women's institute or local farmers markets you can pick up organic bargains without the extra price hike. What's more you can make some very useful contacts and negotiate great deals if you agree to take so much of a crop from an allotment holder or keen gardener. These contacts can be invaluable as they will also be able to advise you on what crops are best suited to your local area and may also share advice so that you can successfully grow your own crops.

Local markets also have the massive advantage of the produce being very fresh due to the minimal packaging and transportation that is required to get the produce to the customer.

Pick your own

Many farmers will offer produce at a much reduced cost if you pick your own from their fields and orchards as it saves them labour costs. Pick your own is most commonly associated with strawberries but all types of vegetables and fruit can be obtained this way. Striking a bargain with a farmer for obtaining windfall fruits which would otherwise be left to waste can be one of the best ways of juicing on a budget. If you buy some other produce the farmer may well let you have windfall produce for free. As well as making juices you could also consider using such abundant crops and your juicer for other purposes such as making Cider or apple wine.

If shopping in stores

If you choose your time carefully then you should be able to pick up bargains. Many small grocers want to clear their stock on Saturday so that it doesn't perish further over the rest of the weekend. If you arrive just before closing on Saturday you will often find the more perishable items reduced.

Make sure to take care to avoid produce that has been reduced because it is past its best. Once a fruit or vegetable is past its optimum ripeness its nutritional content usually deteriorates with time.