10 Ways to Save on Organic Groceries

If you think organic food is too expensive or too difficult to source, wake up and smell the environmentally sustainable coffee!

Thanks to rising consumer demand and environmentally enlightened retailers, it is easier than ever to buy organic on a budget. We are not preaching that you must buy only organic food. Rather, we want to help you save money while improving your diet with flavor-packed, highly nutritious foods that were grown as nature intended– without toxic pesticides, herbicides or fungicides.

1. make budget rules and keep to them
Never buy ANY prepared foods as they always cost more than what you make in your own kitchen. Organic cakes, cookies, waffles and spaghetti sauces are easy to whip up– just buy some organic staples such as flour and sugar, start cooking and watch your savings grow. Another tip: if you drink milk every day, it is well worth switching to organic to save your body from ingesting the growth hormones and antibiotics that are present in all conventionally produced milk.

2. compare organic vs. conventional prices
Many organic fruits, vegetables and canned goods are now the same price or less than conventional ones. At national health food retailers such as WHOLE FOODS, everything from organic broccoli to organic chicken soup to organic rice cakes costs the same or less than what you would pay in your local market. “When you spot a well-priced organic product, such as lentil soup for 99 cents a can, stock up,” says Santa Cruz, CA. certified clinical nutritionist and naturopath Theresa Dale, Ph.D. who offers nutritional and other dietary advice at www.wellnesscenter.net. You can always stir in some fresh vegetables, rice or spices to kick it up a notch.

3. shop discount stores
Did you know that national chain stores such as Costco and Wal-Mart sell masses of organic products at cut-rate prices? For organic staples such as macaroni and cheese, brown rice, canned tomatoes and more, braving these big box stores is worth the schlep. Put on your most comfortable shoes; get out there and start saving money.

4. buy more organic plant-based protein and fewer conventionally raised meats
Eating just one or two less meat dinners a week can add up to substantial savings in a few months, Dr. Dale points out. “Eating more plant-based protein will also help lower your cholesterol,” she observes. Cut out meat dishes and substitute with protein-rich organic rice and beans, vegetarian stews, polenta with melted cheese, hearty soups and sandwiches.

5. shop farmer’s markets
You can often find super-fresh organic fruits and vegetables for reasonable prices and sometimes downright steals, especially if you shop at the end of the day when vendors are getting ready to close up and go home.

6. sign up for community-supported agriculture
Many areas have seasonal or year-round farmers’ cooperatives that people can join for a set fee. Membership entitles them to receive a weekly organic produce delivery which is made to their town. (Think of all the time that this can save you from driving to the market, shopping and then coming back home.) To find out how you can support a farmer in your area, go to: www.nal.usda.gov.

7. buy in bulk
Rice, beans, flour, sugar, cereal, flax seed, yogurt, dried fruit;these are just a few of the staples that you could buy in bulk. Make a list of what you and your family eat in high quantity; then figure out which foods you should buy in bulk. Major health food chains such as WHOLE FOODS, WILD OATS and BREAD and CIRCUSES generally have the best bulk food prices.

8. join a health food cooperative
Many independent health food stores are cooperatives, meaning that for an initial or annual membership fee, members receive a discount on some or all items in the store. Policies vary; sometimes members have to work a few hours a month in the store to receive their discount. Besides the delicious food you will enjoy as payback for joining a Co-op, you also have a good chance of meeting some like-minded people by helping out in a health food store.

9. use coupons
Organic companies are getting hip to the coupon scene: for example, you can print $50.00 worth of yogurt coupons on the Web site of Stonyfield Farm www.stonyfield.com. Scanning the food section ads in your daily newspaper for health food store coupons will also yield coupon savings. Established organic food companies such as Cascadian Farm also print coupons for entrees, fruit spreads, frozen fruit and more inside their cereal boxes.

10. buy frozen food instead of foods that are out of season
Eating foods out of season can be a total rip-off, and unhealthy, if they are among the foods (such as strawberries or raspberries) that are most contaminated by pesticides. Organic frozen produce is a more budget-friendly and health-smart alternative

So as you can you see, shopping organically can be inexpensive, fun, and a boon for your health. By shopping this way, you’ll save money and help the organic food industry grow, which is good news for organic farmers, our planet, and future generations.

written by kyle roderick