While the calendar still says spring in May, a lot of summer favorites roll in from domestic growers -- plentiful and much less expensive. Fresh corn, for example.
If you're paying a dollar an ear, in most places it could be anywhere from 50 to 75 cents (per ear), says James Parker, facility team leader for the global produce buying office of Whole Foods Market. But it will usually be sold in multiples, he says.
Artichokes, which have been steadily coming down in value, should hit rock bottom in May, at about $1 to $1.50 each, he says.
May is prime berry season, too. Containers of fresh strawberries will cost anywhere from $2.50 to $4 a pound, depending on whether you're getting conventional or organic berries, Parker says. Likewise, blueberries will drop to less than $3 for a 6-ounce package, he says.
And "it's peak season for Haitian mangos," Parker says. They're about twice the size of an average mango, so there's more fruit for the money, he says. Plus, he adds, it "is the best-tasting mango you'll eat all year."