Where do you buy your produce? My dad frequently buys it from fruit stands and farmers markets. I've often heard that these alternatives to the grocery store are cheaper, so I tried to find out whether there are, indeed, advantages to buying items at the stand.

John Turner, the owner of Martinez Farm Fresh at 233 Bobby Jones Expressway, is passionate about produce. He has been in business for 30 years, and he is actually visiting from a town near Orlando, Fla. He opened his produce stand in Georgia two years ago.

When rental fees in Florida started rising, Mr. Turner hit the road in his mobile home for the red clay of Georgia. For most of the year, he lives in his mobile home behind his fruit stand to continue making a living. During the cold winter months, he returns home to Florida until harvest season returns.

Mr. Turner said the biggest advantage is that produce is fresher at fruit stands or farmers markets.

"By the time things get to the grocery store, they probably go through a couple of days in the warehouse," he said.

He buys his produce from Columbia.

"What really benefits people and where they can get their best savings is buying in bulk," Mr. Turner said. "I have a lot of people who come in here and buy items by the bushel and half bushel."

For instance, he sells a pound of tomatoes for about $1 or $1.20 per pound. Customers could buy a 25-pound case for $18, which is only about 75 cents per pound, he said. If someone bought the tomatoes in smaller quantities, the retail price for the box of tomatoes would be $30. He recommends that people can or freeze their produce.

In the past, Mr. Turner has helped neighbors to co-op or order large quantities of produce. One day a week, customers could purchase items by the bushel. Then, they would divide the produce among themselves.

If two or three neighbors bought a box of produce instead of individual baskets, each person could save almost half the price, Mr. Turner said.

Martinez Farm Fresh also gives active military families 10 percent off all items.

The produce stand is open seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Here are some tips for buying produce, according to Mr. Turner:

1. Handle produce properly. Don't squeeze fruit, such as peaches, because you will bruise it and it won't last as long.

2. Know where to store your produce. For instance, tomatoes should not be refrigerated.

3. Join a co-op. Buy in bulk with family and friends and divide the produce to save cash.

The Georgia Farmers Market at 1150 Fifth St. sells produce in bulk, by the box, bushel and crate. The market publishes its prices in Richmond County Neighbors each Thursday.

Here are some sample prices from last week:

APPLES (BUSHEL): $38 to $40

BANANAS (BOX): $18 to $19

LIMA BEANS (BUSHEL): $21 to $22

CABBAGE (50 POUNDS): $14 to $16

COLLARD GREENS (DOZEN): $15 to $16

CANTALOUPES (CRATE): $15 to $16

ROMAINE (BOX): $34 to $36

GRAPEFRUIT (BOX): $19 to $20

ORANGES (BOX): $20 to $21

EGGS (CASE): $42 to $43

For current prices, customers can contact the Georgia Farmers Market at (706) 721-3004.

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