To give credit where it’s due, Aldi gets a lot of products right — for more budget-friendly prices than competing grocers. But that doesn’t mean they swing it out of the park every time. Watch out for the below fall foods that don’t live up to Aldi’s typical treasure-hunting standards.
Also we asked ChatGPT for the best fall deals at Aldi — there’s what it said.
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Pumpkins
- Price: $3.95
While Aldi sells perfectly fine quality pumpkins for most purposes, you won’t necessarily score a bargain on them. “You can get better deals at the local farmers market or even at the pumpkin patch,” said Aaron Razon, consumer shopping expert with CouponSnake. “Beyond offering a better bargain, the pumpkins will be fresher and last longer.”
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Fall Fruits and Produce
- Price: varies based on produce
The produce quality often proves inconsistent at Aldi, especially for seasonal items.
Ben Harper, food blogger at SimpleRecipeBox, recommended buying local produce instead. “Apples, pears and brussels sprouts are fall favorites, yet I find they don’t hold their crispness or flavor as well as produce from farmers’ markets. With delicate fruits like cranberries and persimmons, the difference is even more noticeable,” he said.
Maple-Flavored Bacon
- Price: $8.05
People love maple-flavored foods in autumn and maple bacon is delicious. Or rather, it should be. One author on Reddit posted that the fake maple odor from Aldi’s version was overpowering and stuck to everything it touched.
Spend the extra money at Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods or just gussy up normal bacon with some maple sugar.
Pumpkin Bagels
- Price: $2.85
While Aldi works wonders with some products, these bagels have never been a strong suit. Add in bitter, fake-tasting pumpkin and a sickly orange color and they prove even less appetizing.
“Aldi’s seasonal bakery items, like apple cider donuts and pumpkin bagels, look festive but don’t fall for them,” Harper said. “They taste neither fresh nor authentic. Stick with local bakeries for better fall-themed baked goods.”
Editor’s note: Pricing and availability may vary depending on location.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 4 Fall Foods To Avoid Buying at Aldi — and Where To Get Them Instead
