Costco has made a name for itself in the grocery business by selling in bulk at jaw-dropping low prices, but are these fruits and vegetables worth it?

1. There are Fresh Costco Fruits and Vegetables.

Costco is a purveyor of fine, fresh fruits and vegetables. In fact, it houses an entire produce department with high-quality fruits and vegetables.

For example, one Costco employee in Minnesota stated: “Our produce department is one of the best in the business.”

2. Costco Also Stocks Organic Fruits and Vegetables

MomOnTheClock posted their list of the best organic produce you can pick up from Costco.

Some of this produce includes the following:

• Strawberries
• Spinach
• Apples
• Grapes
• Cherries
• Tomatoes

Note that these are all peel-less items whose skin, if sprayed with pesticides, is most likely eaten by us.

3. Prices for Costco Fruits and Vegetables are Great

Organic or not, the fruits and veggies in Costco’s produce department are reasonably priced, often lower than your typical grocery store.

For example, a bag of romaine lettuce hearts at Costco costs 75 cents each (you get six), while at Kroger, a bag of three for $3.75 means you’re paying $1.16 each.

Additionally, bananas at Costco cost 56 cents per pound, while they cost 59 cents per pound at Kroger.

In the organics arena, a package of baby carrots at Costco costs just $1.37 per pound, while organic baby carrots at Kroger cost $1.49 per pound.

However, Costco doesn’t always have the lowest prices. The broccoli stock costs $1.99 per pound, while Kroger manages to underprice Costco in this instance, at $1.89 per pound.

You’ll find other little instances where this is true, but for the most part, you are getting a great deal when you buy your produce at Costco.

4. You’re Buying a Lot Of Costco Fruits and Vegetables at Once

There is one huge caveat, recognized worldwide, when buying Costco fruit and vegetables: a warehouse, a buy-it-in-bulk store, and that includes your produce.

In other words, if you want baby carrots, you’re stuck buying two pounds worth at once.

5. Only Pick up the Costco Fruits and Vegetables That You Know You’ll Eat

Unless you’re shopping for a party or have a larger family, only shop the produce department at Costco if you’re sure you will eat it all.

If you don’t, you throw it away, as such large quantities may be difficult to eat or cook before the food begins to go bad.

6. Employees Might Warn You Off Of Buying Costco Fruits and Vegetables

Costco employees have spoken up about buying fruits and veggies from the store. In an article for The List, one Costco manager even described buying produce from the chain as a “waste of money.”

Ultimately, it’s only a waste if you go into Costco’s produce section with the mindset you’d have when buying fruits and veggies from a regular grocery store.

7. Some Costco Fruits and Vegetables are Known to Last Longer Than Others

Some websites might warn you away from buying Costco’s avocados (you get five for $6.49), but Reader’s Digest thinks they’re a terrific buy.

They report that Costco has teamed up with Apeel Sciences to improve the shelf life of this delicious fruit.

Costco avocados now last twice as long as others, which—if you are any kind of avocado enthusiast—will make it much less frantic to use them before they begin to rot.

8. Try Some Of the Tropical Costco Fruits and Vegetables

In addition to regular fruit, Costco also stocks tropical fruits like kiwis and plantains, which Costco sells and are worth picking up next time you’re in a store.

9. Ready-Made Veggie Trays in the Costco Fruits and Vegetables Section 

The Costco fruits and veggies department is also chock-full of convenient options, such as their pre-cut veggie trays with ranch dressing.

You’ll receive a full 18 oz. ( a little more than a pound) of dippable, fresh goodness, perfect for a family snack or an impromptu gathering.

10. You Can Buy Single Mini Watermelons in the Costco Fruits And Vegetables Section

Costco sells adorable mini (and seedless) watermelons, so if you’re just one person or a small family, you aren’t hard-pressed to finish one.

11. You Can Buy and Freeze Garlic from Costco

Because Costco sells garlic in a two-pound bag, you may think, “How will I use all the garlic before it goes bad?”

However, the magic of garlic is that you can freeze it! You can even pull cloves off as you use them and put the rest of the bulb back in the freezer to keep.

12. There are Some Fresh Costco Fruits and Vegetables You’ll Want to Avoid

Shopping experts say the foods listed below are some of the items with shorter shelf-lives at Costco that will likely go bad before you eat them all:

• Spinach
• Berries (especially if they’re already ripe when purchased)
• Peaches (these can become overripe and spoil fast)
• Asparagus (if you haven’t smelled rotten asparagus from your vegetable crisper drawer, avoid the unpleasantness by skipping this veg at Costco)

13. Some Organic Costco Fruits and Vegetables are Grown by the Company

Costco owns organic farms, so some of the products you purchase are grown by Costco farmers. Not only is this a more reassuring farm-to-shelf process, but it also helps Costco keep its organic prices low.

14. If You’re Ordering Costco Fruits and Vegetables Online, Be Picky

You can order your groceries from Costco online using Instacart, but did you know you can also include instructions for your shopper?

So, if you want your shopper to grab the least ripe bananas they can find while shopping in the produce department, leave them a note.

Add the item to your cart, and then go to the cart. Under the item’s listing, you should see a pencil icon and the phrase “edit instructions.”

15. Can’t Eat Your Costco Fruits and Vegetables in Time? Consider Buying Frozen Or Canned

In addition to fresh fruits and vegetables, Costco carries an abundant selection of canned and frozen foods, including organics.

If you find that you’re throwing out fruits and vegetables faster than you can eat them, it might be time to switch to the canned or freezer aisles for some produce.