Tree Hugging Family - Living Green

Organic Food Costs Rise - 11 Ways to Save Money on Organic Food

by Jennifer on May 20th, 2008

A recent slew of high-cost organic food articles have been making the rounds lately. There’s a good one at Newsweek; but many others of the same type all over.

I agree that organics are insanely high when compared to conventional, but we’ve talked about this before, and your family can eat organic; maybe not on the cheap, but organic foods can be surprisingly affordable using some basic tactics.

1. Don’t shop at Whole Foods. I wish I had a nickel for each “Whole Foods is too expensive” reference I see in organic food articles. Well then, don’t shop there. Currently, they’ve created (or tried to) somewhat of a monopoly on organics and natural foods. I’m not saying ban them, but don’t buy there if you can get it cheaper elsewhere.

For example, in my city, at least five other stores carry organics, many their own USDA certified store brand of organics. These usually cost a fraction of what Whole Foods organics cost. Check around your local stores to see what’s out there.

2. Only buy the organics you need. For instance, cereal comes low on the found pesticide level, you can buy conventional and save a few dollars. Save your cash for organics that actually matter, like apples, cheese, butter, eggs, bell peppers, soy, and so fourth.

3. Eat less meat. Honestly, you should only buy organic meat, which can get expensive, but conventional meat is a big baddie. Eat less, save more.

4. If you’ve got the space, grow some of your own organic food.

5. Buy in season. There’s a reason out of season foods cost more; shipping costs and demand vs. availability. Buying in season saves transport energy and costs less. You don’t need melon year round.

6. Save money elsewhere. For example if you make my Homemade Sugar Body Scrub instead of buying a $25 jar of body scrub, that’s money saved for food which your family needs. You can also do things like sign up for a Weatherization Assistance Programor use less AC and save money that way.

7. Don’t buy junk. Seriously, if you’re buying chips and soda, I don’t even want to hear any. “Organic foods are too expensive” whining. Beans, veggies, and rice can be tasty fun - I swear.

8. Cook it yourself. Cooking a veggie pot pie vs. buying frozen will save you money, lots. In the long run, you can master cooking your own soups, chili, breads, cookies, and more. Believe me, you’ll get faster as you learn (if I can you can).

9. Don’t spend money because you’re tricked. Get to know your labels. In some cases buying a food (or other item) labeled “organic” may mean you’re only getting a food that’s 40% organic. People will say anything to get you to spend more, but it’s not always worth it. For example, you can’t even buy organic fish - did you know that? There’s no standards for organic fish, so don’t waste your money.

For more on labels read:

• Leaping Bunny Eco Symbol
• VeriFlora Eco Symbol
• Green-e Eco Symbol
• USDA Organic

10. Look online. Sometimes bulk ordering organics online can save you money. Sometimes! Check prices, also, you’ll have to contend with the fact of transport energy; but hey, you didn’t have to drive to the store, so bonus.

Places to check:

• Diamond Organics
• Amazon
• True Foods Market
• Organic Kingdom
• See a bigger list here - some links are dead, some not.
• Check your yellow pages. Some organic food delivery services are locally based.

11. Visit your local farmers market at the end of the day, when folks are looking to sell stuff no matter what.

What other ways can you think of to save on organics?

Click here to learn about all the current contests, themes, and green challenges going on at Tree Hugging Family in May 2008

[Store brand O Organics, image via Safeway - one of the local stores in my area carrying lower cost organics]

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POSTED IN: Organic Food & Drink, Save Money