Organics on a Budget

From LoveToKnow Organic

Eating organics on a budget requires patience and careful shopping skills, but it is possible to take care of your health without spending a small fortune at the grocery store.

Set Your Priorities

Even if you're a thrifty shopper, eating organics will cost more than consuming a non-organic diet. Typically, organic food costs between 50 and 100 percent more than comparable non-organic items. For those with very tight budgets, it may be necessary to set a list of priorities to use when purchasing organic foods.

Research has show that the following Dirty Dozen foods should be purchased organic whenever possible, since they typically contain higher than average levels of pesticides and herbicides:

Apples
Cherries
Grapes
Peaches
Nectarines
Pears
Lettuce
Strawberries
Bell peppers
Celery
Potatoes
Spinach

Beef, poultry, and dairy are also sometimes included on lists of the best foods to buy organic. However, since there are no official standards for the labeling of organic seafood, most people agree that buying organic fish is not a priority for those on tight budgets.

Basic Tips for Eating Organics on a Budget

Look Beyond the Supermarket

While buying all your groceries at the local supermarket is certainly convenient, this isn't a very cost-effective way to begin eating an organic diet. Organic foods can often be found cheaper at health food stores, specialty stores, farmer's markets, co-ops, and/or community supported agriculture programs. In addition, you'll also find that these places have a greater selection of products available.

Eat in Season

Buying produce when it's in season is a smart tip for anyone interested in saving money when grocery shopping, but it's especially important for those who are committed to eating an organic diet. In fact, when you buy in season and look for store sales, the difference between organic and non-organic fruits and vegetables is actually quite minimal.

Use Coupons

Coupons can be a great way to cut the cost of groceries. While it's true organic foods tend to have fewer available coupons, brands such as Cascadian Farm and Muir Glen often advertise coupons in the Sunday newspaper or put extra savings deals on the inside of their product packages. Try to combine coupons with store sales to maximize your bargain shopping skills!

Look for House Brands

Standards for the labeling of organic food help ensure a consistent level of quality, regardless of the product manufacturer. If you're interested in eating organics on a budget, look into the store brands sold at places such as Whole Foods, Safeway, and Wild Oats. Since they spend less on marketing and advertising, they can pass the savings along to customers in search of a bargain.

The Benefits of Organic Gardening

Although not everyone has the time or space for growing their own fruits and vegetables, organic gardening can be a great way to start eating organics on a budget. Carrots, peas, and cherry tomatoes are some of the easiest organic vegetables to grow. However, you can even find special treats like organic watermelon!

If you have friends who are interested in organic foods, you may even be able to work out an arrangement where you swap some of your fruits and vegetables for the items in their garden. This will give you a wider variety of foods with no additional costs.

Freezing, Canning, and Drying

Whether you purchase produce or grow it yourself, freezing, canning, and drying can be a great way to stretch your food budget. It's best to eat everything you prepare yourself within six months, however. If you've never tried freezing, canning, or drying, Just Food has helpful tip sheets that can get you started.