8 Ways to Eat Organic On A Budget

A lot of people tell me they love the idea of organic food and would start eating it in a heartbeat but their budgets simply don’t allow it. It’s true that organic food can cost considerably more than conventionally grown food…absolutely. The one glimmer of hope is that there has been a downward pricing trend as organic foods became more popular. And I actually posted a blog post on my own experiment with this a while back - showing that it really doesn't have to cost that much more to eat organic if you do it right. Still, the prices aren’t low enough for many people with larger families, so how can you eat organic when you’re on a budget?

Here are a few ideas you can start with:

#1. Start with one thing at a time. Going organic doesn’t mean you have to go all or nothing. Take small steps to where you want to go. I also recommend downloading the EWG (Environmental Working Group) Dirty Dozen list that shows you the produce that is most likely to be grown with the most pesticides, so either avoid those or purchase them organically. The list includes items like cherries, bell peppers, peaches, potatoes, blueberries, spinach, celery, strawberries and more. They also keep a list of produce that is least likely be grown with as much pesticide, so you may not have to rush into organic versions of those.

You can get the list or download a mobile app here: http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/ 

Stoneledge farms CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) Local Farming Week Seventeen (Photo credit: smith_cl9)

#2. Buy from farmers markets, or join a CSA program. There are many organic options at farmer’s markets and they are often more affordable than organic fare found at regular supermarkets. You can search Google for “[your town] farmer’s market” or use http://www.localharvest.org to find markets in your area. CSA programs often give you a week's worth of groceries delivered right to your door, and many of them grow completely organically, and they tend to be more affordable than buying from the grocery store. Visit http://www.newholisticliving.com/csa.html for more information.

#3. Cut out expensive (and unhealthy) processed foods. While processed foods may seem like a great deal because they save time and they appear to be inexpensive, they often don’t provide a lot in the way of portion size or nutritional value and can really eat up a food budget if you rely on them. Try reducing the amount of processed foods you buy and eat more nutrient dense whole foods. It’s good for the budget and good for your health.

#4. Stock up when things go on sale and then can, dry or freeze it. It’s the same money-saving concept that people have been using for years and you can apply it to organic foods as well. Invest in a food dehydrator, canning equipment and freezer-ready containers, so you can store organic foods for later eating.

#5. Make it a goal to eat a fully local and/or organic meal each week. It’s an idea borrowed from http://www.thedailygreen.com/healthy-eating/latest/green-diet-local-meal-44013008 and it’s a good one. If you just try for one meal, you’ll be making a difference without a lot of cost. Plus, leftovers and extra ingredients can be stretched out to additional meals.

#6. Eat more vegetarian meals. I know might sound scary for some meat lovers, me included, but eating more meatless meals gives you so much more money in the food budget. Or if you’re not ready to do completely vegetarian, consider using smaller portions of meat in your meals. Try things like stir fries and casseroles where meat is simply an accompaniment, rather than the main focus of the meal. I've come to use meat often more as a flavoring than as a main ingredient - it really can stretch the budget, and still give you the taste of meat that you love. (For example - pea soup with a ham bone, or just a small piece of ham, or one of my favorites - red beans & rice with just a little bit of ham diced small, and a little bit of ultra-flavorful chorizo sausage and lots of spices. There are lots of great ways to include small amounts of meat in your diet without going overboard - not only is this easier on your wallet, but many studies show it's also easier on your body.)

(Photo credit: yksin)

#7. Pick your own. Don’t be afraid of a little manual labor. Using “you pick” opportunities allows you save a lot of money and stock up for canning, drying and freezing. You can pick a variety of fruits and vegetables. You can look for you picks in your area by visiting http://www.pickyourown.org, but do confirm they are organic growers first.

#8. Grow your own! Often one of the easiest and most overlooked ways to eat organic foods - is to grow them yourself. Organic and sustainable gardening is more and more popular these days, and for good reason. Not only is it a fun and rewarding hobby, but it can provide the freshest and healthiest food possible - picked at the peak of ripeness and nutritional value - from your own garden! Visit our sustainable gardening blog for lots of helpful tips and articles on this at: http://nhlsustainablegardening.blogspot.com/

Every little bit helps and the better you get at picking the right foods, the more affordable it can be. And remember, the long term health benefits of eating more naturally will likely save you plenty in health costs in the long run.

Just one thing before you head out and stock up on everything…we should talk about what organic really means and we’ll do that in my next post.

Other Helpful Resources: 
   

How to Know If You Are Buying Organic Foods

Are you interested in making the switch to organic foods?  If you are, you may start shopping organically soon.  When it comes to doing so, there are many new eaters who wonder how they can tell if they are buying organic foods or not.  Although this question is commonly asked, it is relatively easy to make sure that you are buying truly organic foods.

Image via WikipediaOne important point that many do not take into consideration is the strict standards that are associated with the making and selling of organic foods.  Companies claiming to sell fully organic foods should do so with the backing of Quality Assurance International (QAI) or the USDA (other countries will also have their own form of organic labeling for certified organic foods).  When shopping, be sure to look for certified organic labels.  All food that meets industry standards should be labeled properly. This is one of the best and easiest ways to make sure that you are buying organic food.

Another easy way that you can make sure that you are buying organic foods is by carefully choosing the stores that you shop at.  If you have access to a specialty organic or natural food store, you are urged to shop there.  Locally owned and operated stores are often smaller in size; therefore, you should be able to ask any question or speak with a manager if you have any concerns, which is a nice option for many to have.  With that being said, you shouldn’t have any problems, as most specialty stores go out of their way to ensure that they are only selling one hundred percent natural, organic foods.

Image via WikipediaThe internet can also be used to shop for organic foods, but you will want to be cautious of online grocery stores that sell a wide range of foods.  This can sometimes make it more difficult for you to find and buy organic foods.  For that reason, you may want to stick with specialty online organic food stores.  You can also examine many organic product manufacturers, as some, like Earth’s Best Organic, have online stores where their products are sold.  These online websites and stores can easily be found with a standard internet search.

As previously stated, a nice and safe way to shop for organic food locally is by visiting a specialty organic or natural food store.  If you do not have access to one of those stores and if you do not want to shop online, you can examine your local supermarkets or grocery stores.  Most do sell organic foods, but usually only a limited number.  What you will want to do is look for an organic food section.  This can help to make sure that you are buying organic foods.  With that in mind, be cautious of your surroundings and be on the lookout for out of place foods, as they may not be organic, just dropped by a customer who no longer wanted the item in question.

The above mentioned steps are just a few of the many that you can take to make sure that you are buying 100% organic foods.  The good news is that these steps are all easy to implement. And be sure to read labels of any processed foods - be on the lookout for foods that claim to have organic ingredients, as they may not be truly organic products, with just a small percentage of organic ingredients in them.