As a chef and dietitian, I assess produce for flavor, nutrition, versatility, food waste and, most importantly, value. That matters especially at a warehouse club like Sam’s Club. A large package may seem like a bargain, but if I use only half before it spoils, I haven’t saved money. However, bulk produce packages can be excellent buys when I know my family will eat them or I have a plan to preserve and use them.
I find myself looking beyond the sticker price and considering the bigger picture. What will I use? What looks freshest? What will work in the meals I’m already planning? And which items catch my eye simply because they’re something a little different?
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During my recent trip through the Sam’s Club produce section, the sheer variety immediately stood out to me. There were familiar grocery list staples alongside fruits and vegetables that made me stop and take a second look. I saw everything from apples, bananas, oranges and avocados to colorful peppers, leafy greens, potatoes and a wide assortment of fresh fruit.
What really made the trip interesting, though, was seeing some less common produce mixed in with the everyday favorites. I spotted specialty grapes, dragon fruit, drinking coconuts, apriums—a fusion of apricots and plums—as well as Cara Cara oranges and several other varieties that aren’t necessarily available at every grocery store. For someone who enjoys cooking, trying new foods or simply adding a little variety to the usual grocery routine, that kind of selection is fun to explore.
As I made my way through the department, I took photos of many of the fruits and vegetables that caught my attention. Looking back at those photos, I realized just how much there was to consider—not only from a nutrition standpoint, but also from a cooking, convenience and value perspective.
So, I took a closer look at the produce I found during my visit to see which items stood out to me and why. Here are my top picks for what to buy from the Sam’s Club produce section—and which you may want to skip.
Related: 5 Best Produce Items To Buy at Trader Joe’s (and 4 To Skip)
Does Sam’s Club Have Organic Produce?
Courtesy Julie Andrews
Yes, Sam’s Club carries organic produce, although the exact selection can vary by club and season. On my trip, one of the items that stood out was organic baby spinach. Sam’s Club currently lists organic baby spinach, and its produce selection also includes other organic fruits and vegetables depending on availability.
From a nutrition perspective, some people may feel that they have to buy organic produce to eat a healthy diet, but conventional fruits and vegetables are still nutritious choices. If eating organic is important to you, however, you’ll appreciate having the option at this warehouse club.
For something like baby spinach, pay attention to the package size. Spinach is nutritious, but it is delicate and perishable. I like having a large container when I know I’ll use it in salads, omelets, smoothies, sandwiches and cooked dishes throughout the week. If I’m not going to use that much, a smaller package at another grocery store may actually be the better decision from a price perspective.
That’s the key with warehouse shopping. It’s important to look at price per ounce and also consider the amount your family can realistically eat.
9 Best Items To Buy From the Sam’s Club Produce Section
One of my favorite things about Sam’s Club produce is the combination of everyday staples and specialty produce. Here are my picks for the best Sam’s Club produce section finds.
1. Mini Produce, Like Mini Peppers, Mini Cucumbers and Baby Broccoli
Courtesy Julie Andrews
View the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleI would happily buy the Wild Wonders mini peppers I saw in the store. Seedless mini peppers are one of those ingredients I find incredibly useful in the kitchen. You can slice them into salads, sauté them with onions, roast them on a sheet pan or simply put them on a snack plate.
Mini cucumbers are excellent sliced and served with a sprinkle of salt, and are also perfect in salads, grain bowls and eaten as a snack.
Sweet baby broccoli can be roasted, grilled or sautéed, making it an excellent side dish for busy weeknight meals. It works beautifully with pasta, rice bowls, chicken or roasted potatoes.
2. Salad Favorites, Like Romaine Hearts and Spinach
Courtesy Julie Andrews
Romaine hearts and spinach are classic examples of produce I’d consider a good warehouse club purchase if you know you’ll use them.
Spinach has plenty of uses beyond making a salad too. You can add it to soups, stews and pasta dishes, and serve it sautéed as a side dish. It’s also incredibly easy to freeze if you won’t use it all before it goes bad. Romaine hearts are equally versatile. They can become salads, lettuce wraps or even a grilled side dish.
3. Citrus Fruits, Like Lemons, Limes and Oranges
Courtesy Julie Andrews
View the 2 images of this gallery on the original articleThe bags of lemons, limes and oranges at Sam’s Club caught my attention because citrus is one of those ingredients I use constantly when cooking.
As a chef, I think of lemons and limes almost like seasoning. A squeeze of fresh citrus can brighten roasted vegetables, fish, chicken, salads, grains and sauces. Whole oranges are an easy snack, while Cara Cara oranges add a little variety to the usual citrus routine, making a great snack or breakfast accompaniment.
The important thing here is to compare the per-pound price with your regular grocery store. If Sam’s Club has the better price and I know I’ll use the bag, I’m interested. If I’m only buying two lemons for a recipe, the warehouse-sized bag isn’t necessarily a bargain.
4. Grapes
Courtesy Julie Andrews
View the 2 images of this gallery on the original articleI was especially intrigued by the variety of grapes. I saw Grape Soda grapes, Sugar Drop green grapes and Cotton Candy grapes on my trip.
This is an area where I think Sam’s Club has a real advantage—variety. Specialty grapes aren’t always something you can find at every supermarket. If you’re shopping at a conventional grocery store, you might see one or two types of grapes. At Sam’s Club, you may have the opportunity to choose something much more unusual.
From a nutrition standpoint, grapes are a convenient fruit choice that requires virtually no preparation. From a chef’s perspective, specialty varieties are fun because they can make a simple fruit platter feel much more interesting.
6. Tropical Fruits and Specialty Produce
Courtesy Julie Andrews
View the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleThe Frieda’s Sillies drinking coconuts were another example of something you wouldn’t necessarily expect to find everywhere. The same goes for dragon fruit, kiwi, mangoes, fresh pineapples and other tropical fruit. This is where Sam’s Club can be particularly fun if you enjoy experimenting with food.
Dragon fruit, drinking coconuts and other specialty fruits may not be everyday purchases for everyone, but if you’re curious about trying something new, having those products in one place is convenient. The same goes for apriums—a cross between an apricot and a plum. They’re exactly the kind of produce item that can make a routine grocery trip more interesting.
7. Seasonal Fruits, Like Berries, Peaches and Melons
Courtesy Julie Andrews
View the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleI’d also look closely at the seasonal fruit at Sam’s Club. Berries, peaches, nectarines, watermelon and cantaloupe can all be great purchases when the quality and price are right.
This is where I become very price-conscious. Fresh berries can vary significantly in price from store to store, and their shelf life can be short. If Sam’s Club has a large package at a good price and I know my household will eat it quickly, great. If not, I might choose a smaller package elsewhere.
Watermelon and cantaloupe are similar. A whole melon generally gives me more fruit for my money than pre-cut fruit, assuming I’m willing to do the work.
8. Pantry Staples, Like Onions, Garlic and Potatoes
Courtesy Julie Andrews
View the 2 images of this gallery on the original articleSome of my favorite practical purchases were the onions, garlic and potatoes because they’re staples you’ll always want to have on hand.
Onions can be diced or sliced and are the base of countless meals. Sweet potatoes can be roasted, mashed or turned into grain bowls. Potatoes can become breakfast potatoes, sheet pan dinners or side dishes. And, of course, garlic is a kitchen essential.
9. Bulk Favorites, Like Avocados, Bananas and Apples
Courtesy Julie Andrews
View the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleAvocados are another item where I’d check the quantity carefully. They’re nutritious and versatile, but buying a huge bag only makes sense if I can use them before they become overripe.
Bananas are a steal at Sam’s Club, often sold as a large bunch for less than $2. If they become too ripe, they can be turned into banana bread or frozen to make smoothies at a later date.
Apples can be used in sweet desserts and savory dishes, and they make the perfect on-the-go snack to be enjoyed anytime. Sam’s Club has multiple varieties, including gala, honeycrisp and Cosmic Crisp.
Related: I Asked 3 Chefs the Best Canned Pantry Staple, and They All Said the Same Thing
2 Sam’s Club Produce Items You Can Skip
These are the two produce section items at Sam’s Club to buy elsewhere.
1. Pre-Cut Fruits and Vegetables (Sometimes)
Courtesy Julie Andrews
When I say “skip,” I don’t mean the produce itself is bad. I mean that the package may not be the best value for every shopper. Eating fruits and vegetables in general is a huge win. But if I have to choose a caution, it’s the cost of pre-cut fruit and vegetables.
Sam’s Club sells convenient options such as cut pineapple spears and cut fruit and vegetable trays that are perfect for gatherings. There is absolutely a place for these products. If having to cut a pineapple is the difference between eating pineapple and not buying one at all, the convenience may be worth paying for.
But if I have the time and ability to cut fruit myself, I would generally compare the price against a whole pineapple. For example, Sam’s Club carries whole fresh pineapple as well as prepared pineapple products, illustrating why comparing the price per pound or ounce is important.
The same principle applies to pre-cut melon and other ready-to-eat fruit. You’re paying for labor and convenience. That’s not necessarily a bad thing—it just means I want to know what that convenience is costing me.
2. Large Quantities of Produce If You Can’t Eat It All Before It Goes Bad
Courtesy Julie Andrews
I’d also be cautious about buying large quantities of highly perishable produce simply because the unit price looks attractive. A giant box of mangoes, a large container of berries or spinach, or a large amount of ripe fruit can become expensive food waste if you can’t finish it, prep it, or freeze it before it goes bad.
And this is where my dietitian side and chef side agree completely—the healthiest food is the food you’re actually going to eat. If buying a smaller quantity at a traditional grocery store means you waste less, that may be the better purchase.
Final Takeaways
Courtesy Julie Andrews
After walking through the Sam’s Club produce section, my biggest takeaway is that I wouldn’t approach it as a simple “everything is cheaper here” shopping trip.
Instead, shop strategically. Compare prices with your local grocery stores, paying particular attention to the price per pound, ounce or individual item. Then, think about how much your household can realistically eat. Choose whole produce when you’re willing to wash, peel and cut it yourself, and happily pay for pre-cut options when convenience is worth the premium.
When the price is competitive, put staples such as apples, bananas, citrus, sweet potatoes, potatoes, garlic, romaine, celery, mini peppers, cucumbers, asparagus and broccoli high on your Sam’s Club shopping list.
You should also take advantage of the variety available. Specialty and tropical produce and other less common produce can be a real perk of shopping at Sam’s Club. Those are the items that can be difficult to find at some conventional grocery stores, and they give you an opportunity to try something new.
Ultimately, my strategy for shopping at Sam’s Club is simple: buy what you’ll eat, compare the unit price and don’t confuse a big package with a bargain. Sam’s Club can be an excellent place to stock up on fresh produce, but the best deals are the ones that fit your household, your cooking habits and your ability to use everything before it goes bad.
And if you can walk out with a cart full of colorful fruits and vegetables—including a few unusual finds you wouldn’t normally see at your neighborhood grocery store—that’s a pretty successful grocery trip in my book.
Related: 7 Best Items To Buy From Costco’s Produce Section (and 5 To Skip)
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