This woman reveals how much she spends at Coles than at the local fruit market
Times are tough right now, and here at the Seniors Discount Club, we are always looking to help our members save all the money they can.
So when we heard about the recent experience of one Brisbane woman, we knew that we just had to share it with you.
This woman recently decided to compare the prices of a weekly shop at Coles and the local fruit market, and the results will stun you.
In a video posted on social media, she said her small shop at Coles, which included two boxes of tea bags, two loaves of bread, a box of chicken kievs and lactose-free milk cost her around $45. But then, when she got to the fruit market, she got a much larger stack of fresh produce, all for only $26.36.
‘Half of the amount of money I spent on those couple of items,’ she said of her supermarket purchase.
‘I used to think going to the farmer’s market or the little fruit shop would be expensive, but it’s insanely cheap.’
The woman also revealed in the video that she bought all the produce from Marsden Farmer’s Market.
Her video showed the items for sale on the market: $1.99/kg lemons, $3.99/kg truss tomatoes, $3.99 cucumbers, $2.50 sweet potatoes, $5.99 honey squeeze, $3 chives, and many more.
It looks like she got a great deal!
Internet users think so, too. The price difference caused quite a stir, with over 42,000 people engaging with the video!
One comment said: ‘My shopping average went from $90 to $170 at Coles.’
‘I REFUSE to get my fruit and veg from Coles and Woolies now. Preach,’ a second one wrote.
‘Actually crazy to see so many options in my area,’ a third user stated.
Other shoppers shared their favourite local fruit markets, with one saying, ‘Marsden Park is good if you’re near the area! I have to mention, the ground level of Btown Westpoint fruit and veg is even cheaper, too!’
‘If you live in Melbourne, Dandenong Market is dope,’ a second person said.
‘There’s one like this at Helensvale Westfield’s as well,’ wrote another.
‘I’m a Southeast Queensland girl, and the Woodridge Markets on Sundays are AMAZING! Super cheap produce and delicious Asian cuisine!,’ Another shopper exclaimed.
But why does it cost so much more to shop at the supermarket?
Consumer Expert Gary Mortimer, it comes down to the supply chain. As the food moves from the farm to the store, the cost goes up–as do the costs associated with harvesting and transporting the produce, as well as operating large-scale retail stores.
Buying directly from a farmer ‘and cutting out the middle man’ can save people heaps on their food bill–especially when the independent retailer can take advantage of ‘opportunistic buying’, where they can get away with only having to buy two cases of certain produce.
Gary has some ‘simple’ ways to help you drastically reduce your food bill:
You can watch the woman’s full video below:
What do you think of this story, members? Do you also like to shop at your local fruit and vegetable market? Share your grocery tips in the comments below!
So when we heard about the recent experience of one Brisbane woman, we knew that we just had to share it with you.
This woman recently decided to compare the prices of a weekly shop at Coles and the local fruit market, and the results will stun you.
In a video posted on social media, she said her small shop at Coles, which included two boxes of tea bags, two loaves of bread, a box of chicken kievs and lactose-free milk cost her around $45. But then, when she got to the fruit market, she got a much larger stack of fresh produce, all for only $26.36.
‘Half of the amount of money I spent on those couple of items,’ she said of her supermarket purchase.
‘I used to think going to the farmer’s market or the little fruit shop would be expensive, but it’s insanely cheap.’
The woman also revealed in the video that she bought all the produce from Marsden Farmer’s Market.
Her video showed the items for sale on the market: $1.99/kg lemons, $3.99/kg truss tomatoes, $3.99 cucumbers, $2.50 sweet potatoes, $5.99 honey squeeze, $3 chives, and many more.
It looks like she got a great deal!
Internet users think so, too. The price difference caused quite a stir, with over 42,000 people engaging with the video!
One comment said: ‘My shopping average went from $90 to $170 at Coles.’
‘I REFUSE to get my fruit and veg from Coles and Woolies now. Preach,’ a second one wrote.
‘Actually crazy to see so many options in my area,’ a third user stated.
Other shoppers shared their favourite local fruit markets, with one saying, ‘Marsden Park is good if you’re near the area! I have to mention, the ground level of Btown Westpoint fruit and veg is even cheaper, too!’
‘If you live in Melbourne, Dandenong Market is dope,’ a second person said.
‘There’s one like this at Helensvale Westfield’s as well,’ wrote another.
‘I’m a Southeast Queensland girl, and the Woodridge Markets on Sundays are AMAZING! Super cheap produce and delicious Asian cuisine!,’ Another shopper exclaimed.
But why does it cost so much more to shop at the supermarket?
Consumer Expert Gary Mortimer, it comes down to the supply chain. As the food moves from the farm to the store, the cost goes up–as do the costs associated with harvesting and transporting the produce, as well as operating large-scale retail stores.
Buying directly from a farmer ‘and cutting out the middle man’ can save people heaps on their food bill–especially when the independent retailer can take advantage of ‘opportunistic buying’, where they can get away with only having to buy two cases of certain produce.
Gary has some ‘simple’ ways to help you drastically reduce your food bill:
- Do an inventory of your pantry and fridge before you leave home
- Create a list and plan your shop
- Consider farmer’s markets and street vendors
You can watch the woman’s full video below:
Key Takeaways
- A Brisbane woman has demonstrated on social media how changing shopping habits can save money, comparing prices at Coles to those of her local fruit and vegetable shop.
- The woman’s supermarket bill totalled $45 for just a few items, while her Marsden Farmer’s Market bill was just $26.36 for a couple of fruits and vegetables.
- Consumer Expert, Gary Mortimer, explains that costs linked to harvesting and transportation, as well as operating large-scale stores, contribute to the higher pricing in supermarkets.
- Mortimer's tips for generating savings on your food bill include shopping across multiple brands or alternating weekly between supermarkets and independent retailers.
What do you think of this story, members? Do you also like to shop at your local fruit and vegetable market? Share your grocery tips in the comments below!