Tips For Buying Organic on a Budget
/Tips for buying Organic food on a budget! 1. Know when to spend the money on organics
The list of produce items below are deemed the “dirty dozen” because the USDA found that even after washing, these fruits and vegetables consistently carry much higher levels of pesticide residue than others. Whenever possible, you should buy these products organically.
Fruit
- Apples
- Cherries
- Grapes
- Nectarines
- Peaches
- Pears
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
Vegetables
- Bell peppers
- Celery
- Potatoes
- Spinach
Save money by skipping organic brands for produce with a tough skin that you would not eat,….. bananas, avocado, mango, oranges and kiwi, for example .
2.) Look for store brand organic items
Many major grocers now have store brand organic lines. These items tend to dry goods (canned beans, canned veggies, cereals, sauces, pasta, etc.) and are often cheaper than brand name organics. Look for these at your local stores:
Kroger – Private Selection Organic Safeway Nature’s Promise -Whole Foods 365 Organic - Trader Joe’s Organic
4.) Shop at the Farmers’ Markets
Farmers’ Markets sell foods that are grown locally and are in season. If organic is important to you, make sure you ask if the products are grown organically because not everything at the Farmers’ Market is organic.
(There is a winter Farmer’s Marrket in EL Jebel if you live in the roaring fork valley.)
Also……… Co-ops or food cooperatives are member-owned businesses providing groceries and other products to members at a discount. Many of the products sold at co-ops are organic. CSA, Community Supported Agriculture, is a program where you buy a share and give the farmer’s the money up front. Typically the share means you receive a box of vegetables each week throughout the growing season. If you live near me, check out the CSA that I just joined. www.freshandwyld.com. Dava Parr, the chef and owner of Fresh and Wyld, also offers organic food delivery in my area on Tuesdays and sells delicious produce and homemade soups at our Saturday Farmer’s Market in El. Jebel.
5.) Buy in Bulk
Most of the time you can find organic dry goods for less in n bulk bins. In my area, bulk bins are available at Vitamin Cottage and the Natural Grocers in Glenwood Springs. Just make sure you do your Another option is to shop at wholesale places like Costco- they are starting to carry more organic foods!
