obviously related to my other thread.
The title pretty much says it all. I am currently a proud resident of the city that never sleeps, and my local supermarket has over-priced and sub-par produce. Where can I go for good stuff that is relatively cheap? By good stuff, I just mean things that aren’t banged up and shriveled, not necessary organic or locally grown. I’m not even looking for exotic fruits and vegetables, just things I can put in a salad or stir-fry.
Try Chinatown–the outdoor produce markets have some pretty fresh, pretty cheap stuff. I shop in the big Korean market in Flushing, near Roosevelt and College Point but that’s close to where I live–not so convenient for others, obviously.
The weird thing is their pricing on broccoli–they consistently price the crowns cheaper than the whole stalk, though both are cheaper than elsewhere anyway.
Where do you live? How far are you willing to travel? What do you pass by in your daily commute?
Off the top of my head,
Whole Foods in Union Sq. or in Chelsea
Trader Joes in Union Sq. or in Chelsea
Anywhere in Chinatown (if you get off the B/D at Grand, Grand St. is lined with fruit/veg/fish/noodle shops)
The corner korean market in my old neighborhood in Kew Gardens (Queens). They had the BEST prices and great quality!
Like someone mentioned, you didn’t say where you live.
However, where I’ve always lived in Brooklyn (Crown Heights), the Korean greengrocer has always had the most consistently lower priced vegetables and fruits. The quality and are variety are generally quite good, although there are times certain items will obviously have been there a while and picked-over, or the price of a particular item will shoot up, usually in correlation to some agricultual setback for the particular product/source.
I’ve never, ever liked buying my produce in any grocery store (not near a Trader Joe’s, etc., though); it’s always been the green grocer for me and since they’re right around the corner, I can shop every few days if I like and things are usually fresh. Whenever I want produce that is that next level up, I go to the local farmer’s market.
[hijack]It’s really interesting that, though still owned by a lot of Koreans, the produce places near me are starting to leave the once low-on-the-total-pole Mexican workers in charge (even on the cash register!), including shifts as late as 2 or 3am. It seems like the owners have totally moved up in merchant class status, becoming wealthy without actually having to labor.[/hijack]
Yeah, I forgot to mention the Greenmarkets (list of locations and days here). Prices are not really cheaper than grocery stores (sometimes more expensive, depending on what you’re buying) but at least you’re paying for top quality.
Grocery store produce universally blows in NYC.
Another neighborhood where produce is extremely cheap is Little Odessa- the Russian neighborhood out in Brighton Beach. If you don’t already live near there it’s a hell of a schlep for apples, but if I’m in the neighborhood for other reasons (such as visiting the smoked fish shops & russian bakeries!) I generally take advantage of the produce prices.
This is an excellent way to get some dirt cheap produce. The other place I love to buy produce is from the vendors with carts on Wall St. I can get lots of produce for an excellent price with them and it always tastes great, unlike the produce I have brought home from the store on occasion.
There are also farmer’s markets all over the city during the spring and summer where you can get produce that is a bit more expensive but is of excellent quality. Keep an eye out for those while you are wandering around.
I live in Manhattan, in Washington Heights, and I’m also in midtown every day. I guess I’d prefer to stay in Manhattan, but I’m willing to go to Brooklyn or Queens, as long as I’m going somewhere easily accessible by public transportation. I probably would not go there on a regular basis, though.
One of the Greenmarket locations is actually quite close to where I live, I’m just sad that I have to wait until Thursday to try it!
As for Chinatown- I tend to get lost there. I suppose I’ll have to figure it out one of these days.
If you are willing to go as far as Brooklyn or Queens, then may I suggest that the Koren grocers near the Grove Street PATH station in Jersey City all have very nice produce. Here’s the PATH Map.
You should explore your neighborhood thoroughly. One of those typical deli/bodega-looking establishments within a block or two might be chock full of good produce. Even if it is a little expensive consider travel and time costs you would incur by journeying outside of your neighborhood. There’s a Fairway at 130th and 12th ave. They’re supposed to be good (never been there).
On 32nd St. west of 5th Ave (Koreatown) the H-Mart has a selection of veggies & fruits. A pretty small selection but the prices/quality are good. And they also have tasty, reasonably priced, lightly prepared vegetables in the fridge section, like marinated bean sprouts, spinach with garlic and sesame oil, kim chee, and seaweed salad. nom nom nom.
Have you looked into a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture, AKA, Farm Share) Urban Organics delivers throughout Manhattan and I don’t believe they require you to participate for the whole season. For next year, Washington Heights CSA is something to consider. There are other CSAs serving northern Manhattan as well.
Finally, as others have mentioned, the fruit carts you find throughout midtown have nice stuff at fair prices.
Welcome to my hood, jelly! I agree, produce in NYC grocery stores sucks. But you’re in luck: there’s a Farmer’s Market on 175th and Broadway. You’re on your own in the winter though… 
Edit: Now I see that’s probably what you mentioned. Well anyway it’s well-loved, so get there ASAP!
I don’t live far from you. If you don’t want to wait until Thursday, come up to Inwood’s greenmarket on Saturdays. It’s on Isham, between Broadway and Seaman.
I like the Union Square Farmer’s market. Where I live (East Side) there are also alot of little temporary corner fruit & veggie stands. Much better than the generally lousy & overpriced NYC supermarkets & bodegas.