What Do I Hear for These Fruity Pebbles?

If you've gone from Whole Foods to Kroger to Aldi and are still hoping to save money on groceries, you still have an option: buying at auction.

According to an Associated Press article, such auctions are increasing in popularity—which is probably true, though the article presents only anecdotes.

Grocery items are generally out of date or damaged, but auctioneers say they are perfectly fine to eat. (Sell-by dates aren't legally enforced.) "The quality and taste may go down, but that doesn't mean you can't eat it," one bidder said.

Markets for the usual auction fare—collectibles, antiques, jewelry—have dried up. "Fallen off a cliff," according to one auctioneer. So in some cases, groceries are taking up the slack.