This is an re-post. For those new to Bountiful Baskets I thought I would run this through again. We picked up a basket this weekend and here is some updated information.
I did, so I thought I would share with you how it went. You can take a look above at the basket of produce I got over the weekend and see an updated list of the items on the chart below and how it compared to Walmart pricing.
Bountiful Basket Price Compare at Walmart 2015
All that produce was $15.00. Ordering is a pretty easy process. You just order and pay for your basket on-line then go to the pick up point. You will receive an email the night before confirming your order and reminding you to check on the website for any possible changes. I thought overall communication was good. I do think there website is a little, shall we say “flimsy” but, this is a non-profit, that is run by volunteers.
Once you get to the site you are given a number. Then you find your produce baskets (in this case there were two areas). They have been pre-portioned by volunteers so you just grab and go. Transfer the contents of the baskets to your own box, bag or basket and you're done. As I was talking to the regulars of this program, the two most common remarks were:
1- “Get the bread?” At check out you are offered several other selections including a 5 loaf bread package ($10.00). That seemed like a lot to me, so I didn't get it. But, the pro's say it's worth every penny! And…
2- “Sometimes you get things you just don't eat.” Examples of this might be Collard Greens, Brussels Sprouts and Asparagus. I eat and love all those items, so that didn't bother me in the least.
Once I picked up my basket, my curiosity got the better of me, so I decided to put this deal to the test. I weighed and counted each of the items I got, then headed to the stores. Let me start by telling you the price comparisons made here were done on the same day I picked up my basket. The only variation is that my Walmart did not have Brussels Sprouts that day so I averaged WinCo and Smith's price to get the price. And, the pineapple price shown is “after the $.50 DelMonte coupon”. WinCo did not have DelMonte Pineapple.
Bountiful Basket price comparison 2010
UPDATED NOTES: This original price comparison above was done in 2010. As shown above, it's even better now as the cost of the baskets is still $15.00.
I am a regular of Bountiful Baskets and find getting these mystery ingredients fun and inspiring for healthier meal planning. The one thing I would say it that I do think that location is key, if any of the pick-up locations are convenient for you then go for it. It's fun and you do save some money. If the locations are out of the way for you then I'd save the gas and stick with the sales.
Carolin Diann Mckee says
June 10, 2021 at 12:59 pmwould there be a chance that you might be coming back to Duchesne Utah?
Linda Hite says
December 29, 2015 at 2:53 amI used to buy Bountiful basket food from your pick up place at the Utah State Fair Grounds, Do you still have baskets for purchase at that location? How much are they? I can’t remember.
Joani says
December 29, 2015 at 3:05 pmHi Linda,
We actually aren’t Bountiful Baskets. This was an independent review post. You’ll need to go to their website and check the locations.
http://www.bountifulbaskets.org
Utah Co-Op says
June 1, 2015 at 12:58 pmThank you for the mention today of the Utah CoOp on 291 E 4500 S Murray Utah 84107
Coupons4Utah says
June 2, 2015 at 8:01 amYou’re welcome. I’m still putting together a post for you. I just love your little shop!
Thanks for what you do for our community.
Judy says
April 28, 2012 at 9:22 amEven if I could get the same amount of produce for the same price, I wouldn’t. I’m just not good at buying it on my own. By using Bountiful Baskets, I’m provided with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables for my family and me. Also knowing that I’m getting another one the next week encourages us to use them up quickly. I like the surprise element of finding out what I get each week. We’ve also tried and liked some new things we never would have before (Jerusalem artichokes for one.) There are some things I still can’t make myself eat, like beets, but we are expanding our palates.
Kathleen says
October 29, 2011 at 9:06 amI went to bountiful baskets for the first time today. I ordered the extra fruit pack, for an extra 10 dollars, so I paid 29.50 all together. Here is what I received:
2 heads of lettuce, 1 cabbage, 2 cucumbers, 1 tomato, 1 celery, 5lbs bananas 7 lbs of grapes, 2 pomegranites, 1 package of strawberries, 2 avocados 6 lbs of apples, 5 individual small pears and 8 kiwi fruit.
While I don’t feel ripped off, I feel that I could have bought the same amount, or more, from Food City. The bananas are normally 57c a pound there, and sometimes on sale for 3 lbs for a dollar. I can’t eat the avocados due to allergies, but I will eat everything else. Is it worth 30 bucks to have to get up at 6:45 and to be “threatened” with forfeiture if you are more than 20 minutes past your time slot? I don’t know about other people, but I won’t be going back. However, for those who shop at expensive stores instead of Food City, I’m sure it may be a good deal. (By the way, you didn’t count gas in your comparison. With the price of gas being so high, being able to buy from the store down the street is a consideration.)
Tabby says
June 1, 2015 at 8:46 pmI agree. and being able to choose what you buy is a benefit, I got a daikon radish the size a small baseball bat. I don’t even use regular radishes so not sure what to do with this, proably donate it to food bank. Also once we got giant carrots that on the farm, are called ‘horse carrots’, too woody to be eaten by people but great for horses. I don’t curently have horses so that was a waste.
Coupons4Utah says
June 2, 2015 at 8:00 amHey Tabby,
I before you chuck your radish here’s some recipes you might want to look at. I actually like daikon.
http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/top-10-ways-to-enjoy-daikon-radish
Abby says
July 8, 2010 at 7:58 amThanks for this comparison, I’ve been getting baskets on and off for awhile and have wondered about the exact comparisons! I love their baskets, there’s always something new.
Scott says
July 6, 2010 at 11:41 amI got one last week too and the watermelon was SOOOO good!!! Thanks for doing the cost savings chart!!! It was something I was curious about, but didn’t get around to it with the weekend’s festivities…