Buying snacks in bulk (part 2)

On Monday, I discussed where or not it was worth it to purchase snacks in bulk. I displayed numerous snack food items and the respective cost-per-serving from both a bulk food warehouse (Costco) and a regular store (Target). I also gave some pointers in regards to membership fees and use of coupons. In the end, I feel that if you can afford an annual membership to a bulk food warehouse, then it will be a benefit to you.

Since Monday's post was so long, I chose to separate the fruit-type snacks into today's post.

At Costco, a box of Del Monte fruit cups contains 12 diced peaches and 8 mixed fruit. Cost per serving: $0.42/fruit cup. I compared the prices at Target, discovering that a box of 12 uniform fruit cups had a cost per serving of $0.57. That's a steep price difference!

Costco carries their own brand of mandarin orange fruit cups, with a cost/serving of $0.37 each. At Target, Del Monte mandarin orange fruit cups come in a 4-pack ($0.60/serving) and a 12-pack ($0.57/serving). Costco wins this comparison.

GoGo Squeez is one of the perfect ways to eat fruit on-the-go. At Costco, the price per pouch is $0.62, whereas Target's cost is $0.69. A plus for Target and other grocery stores ... oftentimes, there are coupons for this product, lowering the cost per serving.

 A comparison of Costco's bag of Mariani Tropical Fruit mix and Target's Market Pantry's Tropical fruit mix gives these results: Costco - $0.45/serving. Target - $0.29/serving. Huge win for Target!

Costco sells a GIANT bag of Craisins for $7.79. I use these in everything from granola and muffins to portable snacks. Costco's cost per serving is $0.23. Target's tiny bag of Craisins will cost you $0.71/serving. Ouch. Costco is the way to go on this one.

SunMaid raisins have a cost/serving of $0.19 at Costco, whereas the SunMaid brand at Target will cost$0.25/serving. However, Target or another grocery store might have a store brand of raisins that will cost less.

Those are all of the comparisons that I have to present today. However, I'd like to share a few other fruit-type snacks from Costco that I believe to be a great deal.

Costco produces their store brand of dried blueberries. $7.99 for 14 servings - $0.57 each serving. A delicious and nutritious treat.

Dried cherries ... yum! Same price as dried blueberries - $0.57 per serving.

Costco now sells packets of freeze-dried fruit - apple slices, strawberries & bananas, and cinnamon apple slices. $0.75/serving for a quick, easy, non-perishable, on-the-go snack.

Costco's Fruit & Nut Medley consists of peanuts, almonds and walnuts, plus of cornucopia of dried fruit - apple, kiwi, mangoes, papaya, pineapple, strawberry, banana, cherries and golden raisins. $0.47 per serving.

Dried apricots are my husband's favorite dried fruit. At $0.23 per serving, Costco provides an amazing deal.

Dried mangoes, lightly coated in sugar, are also a sweet treat in our household. $0.72 per serving.

Costco sells a large box of Stretch Island fruit leather, in a varieties of flavors.

Orchard Cherry, Autumn Apple, Summer Strawberry, Harvest Grape, Ripened Raspberry and Abundant Apricot. Only $0.22 per serving.

Costco sells TreeTop applesauce in 2 different ways. The first way is in 4-ounce cups at $0.32 per cup.

The second type of TreeTop applesauce is pouches, much like GoGo Squeez. Except at $0.37 per pouch, which is MUCH cheaper than GoGo Squeez!

Wild Roots created a blend of yogurt chips, fruit bits and nuts. In the winter, we use this delightful blend in our homemade instant oatmeal. $0.38 per delicious serving of almonds, cashews, yogurt chips, cranberries and blueberries.

Also by Wild Roots is another enticing blend of Greek yogurt chips, almonds, cranberries, apricots, pomegranate arils and cherries. We have not yet tasted this one, but it sounds amazing. $0.46 for each serving.

I hope that you've enjoyed this journey through the fruit-type snacks of Costco. Let me know if you have any thoughts. I'd love to hear them.