Spring is right around the corner, and grocery stores are shifting their promotional strategies to match the changing season. March is actually one of the most lucrative months of the entire year for stocking up on specific pantry and freezer staples. Retailers run huge promotional events tied to specific holidays and national food months to get you through their doors. If you know what items are heavily discounted this month, you can easily lower your weekly food bill. Here are the 10 best grocery deals you should actively look for during your next shopping trip.
1. Everything in the Freezer Aisle
March is officially National Frozen Food Month across the grocery industry. Supermarkets completely load up their weekly flyers with amazing promotions on frozen vegetables and ready-to-bake meals. You will frequently see buy one get one free deals on premium ice cream and large frozen pizzas. It is the absolute perfect time to clear out your chest freezer and restock it for the upcoming warmer months. Taking advantage of these deep discounts guarantees you have cheap and effortless dinners ready for busy weeknights.
2. Corned Beef and Irish Staples
St. Patrick’s Day brings huge markdowns on traditional Irish ingredients that you can easily freeze for later use. Grocery stores heavily discount giant cuts of corned beef brisket during the first 2 weeks of the month. You will also find great prices on thick loaves of Irish soda bread and hearty root vegetables. Buying a few extra briskets while they are cheap lets you enjoy savory slow-cooker meals well into the summer. This is a very brief promotional window that frugal shoppers should never let pass by.
3. Fresh Cabbage and Potatoes
Speaking of traditional holiday meals, cabbage and potatoes are incredibly cheap throughout March. Farmers bring their late winter crops to market right as supermarkets prepare for their holiday displays. You can often buy large heads of green cabbage for just pennies a pound at your local store. Giant 10-pound bags of russet potatoes also see deep price cuts to pair with those discounted beef briskets. These hearty vegetables have a very long shelf life and make excellent fillers for your budget-friendly dinners.
4. Frozen and Canned Seafood
The season of Lent always drives down the price of seafood as stores cater to customers eating meatless meals on Fridays. You will spot fantastic deals on large bags of frozen shrimp and premium cuts of wild-caught salmon. The canned goods aisle also sees major price drops on high-quality tuna and canned pink salmon. Stocking your pantry with these discounted proteins provides a very healthy and affordable alternative to expensive red meat. These sales usually last for several weeks and offer some of the best seafood pricing of the entire year.
5. Party Snacks for Basketball Fans
March Madness is a huge event for the supermarket industry and snack food brands. As college basketball tournaments begin, the middle aisles fill up with large displays of heavily discounted potato chips and pretzels. Soda companies also offer bulk deals where you can get 3 or 4 cases of your favorite beverage for a very low price. You can quickly fill your pantry with fun snacks for the kids without paying the usual premium retail prices. Just make sure to check the expiration dates if you plan to stash these treats away for the summer.
6. Prebaked Pies and Pie Crusts
March 14 is widely celebrated as Pi Day, and bakeries love to get in on the fun with special promotions. You can usually find great discounts on freshly baked fruit pies in the supermarket bakery section. The refrigerated aisles also feature sales on rolled pie crusts and canned fruit fillings for home bakers. Buying a few extra crusts while they are on sale sets you up perfectly for making cheap quiches and savory pot pies later. It is a very fun and delicious micro holiday that rewards savvy shoppers with sweet savings.
7. Spring Cleaning Supplies
As the weather begins to warm up, people naturally start thinking about deep cleaning their homes. Grocery stores anticipate this urge by slashing prices on glass cleaners and multi-surface sprays. You will frequently find high-value digital coupons attached to name-brand paper towels and heavy-duty trash bags. This is the optimal time to refresh your entire cleaning caddy before the muddy spring season fully arrives. Combining these seasonal sales with manufacturer coupons usually results in a few cleaning products being offered for absolutely free.
8. Early Easter Baking Goods
Easter often falls in early April, which means the baking ingredient sales kick off in late March. Supermarkets will start dropping prices on flour, vanilla extract, and bags of chocolate chips to encourage holiday baking. You can also expect to see great deals on baking yeast and powdered sugar for your homemade desserts. These pantry staples last for many months when stored properly in airtight containers. Grabbing them now ensures you are completely prepared for the holidays without having to pay full price at the last minute.
9. Fresh Asparagus and Artichokes
The transition into spring brings a wonderful new variety of fresh produce to the front of the grocery store. March is the prime harvest season for tender asparagus spears and fresh artichokes. Because the supply is suddenly so abundant, the price per pound drops significantly compared to the winter months. Incorporating these seasonal green vegetables into your weekly meal plan is a great way to eat healthy on a tight budget. They offer a bright and crisp flavor that perfectly welcomes the approaching warmer weather.
10. Breakfast Cereals and Oatmeal
March 7 is actually National Cereal Day, and many popular brands celebrate by offering steep discounts on their biggest boxes. You can easily find promotions that offer a 4th box for free when you buy 3 boxes. Large cans of old-fashioned oats also go on sale to help you build a cheap, hearty breakfast routine. Since cereal has a very long shelf life, it makes perfect sense to buy several boxes when the prices hit rock bottom. This strategy guarantees your family has quick and affordable morning meals ready to go before school.
Wrapping Up Your March Savings
Grocery shopping does not have to be a stressful financial burden when you know how the sales cycles work. Focusing your list on frozen foods, seasonal produce, and holiday staples allows you to stretch your dollars much further. Taking advantage of these 10 specific March deals is the smartest way to keep your pantry full and your budget balanced. Remember to check your store app for digital coupons to make these seasonal prices even lower.
What To Read Next
4 Items Walmart Shoppers Should Avoid Until March 1st
10 Post-Super Bowl Clearance Items Hiding in Plain Sight
6 Ways to Score More Savings With Manufacturer Coupons
Do Bulk Purchases Always Lead to Bigger Savings?
6 Grocery Savings Mistakes Couponers Regret Most
The post 10 Best Grocery Deals to Watch for in March appeared first on Grocery Coupon Guide.
