More Bang for Your Organic Buck

If you're anything like me, I'm not made of money. I would love to buy 100% organic & local food but its so expensive! With this in mind, I thought I'd share some tips I've learned on how to buy the organic  products that will benefit you (and the environment) the most, while keeping you on budget

1. Learn to eat seasonally. Do fresh tomatoes grow in winter where you live? If the answer is no, think about all the chemicals sprayed on that tomato to make it look so red & juicy. For most of us, the winter season is a cold one. What grows in cooler climates? Root vegetables, winter squash & leafy greens.  They may not be as exciting to look at as the pretty red tomato, but they can be delicious and very good for you. Vegetables that are in season are also cheaper than ones that aren't.  You're also more likely to find fruits and veg from a local organic farm when you eat with the seasons. 
2. Why organic fruits & veg? The key to what makes organic veg taste so good & be full of vitamins is dirt. Seriously! Organic farms let their soil rest, unlike the big corporation farms that replant the same thing in the same place every season. This rest lets nutrients develop in the soil.  Not to mention these foods are picked at their peak, which is when the nutrients in the food are highest. Most big corporation farms pick vegetables early, spray them so they appear ripe and have a longer shelf life while they get shipped to a grocery store.  Corporation veg don't get as many nutrients from the soil, because they are harvested before all the mineral levels develop in the food.
3. When deciding which fruits & veg to spend the money on that are organic, consider their skins. If a fruit has a thick outer skin, chemicals sprayed on it are less likely to reach the heart of the fruit. We tend to eat the skin of many thinner skinned fruits & vegetables. So spending the extra few cents on organic apples or peaches is better than on bananas or oranges.
4. Co-op Farms offer a ton of local, organic food at a reasonable price. Plus buying locally gives the money directly to the farmers, which not only helps them, but also stimulates your local economy. Here's how it works: you pay up front for your share for the year. Then every few weeks you will receive a variety of different seasonal fruits & vegetables by picking them up at the farm or a drop off point. Discounts usually are available for people who volunteer their services at the farm a few times throughout the year.  (Thisis also a great opportunity to show your kids where food comes from) For most of these CSA farms, 1 share will generously feed a family of four.  I found my local farms by doing a google search. Its definitely worth checking out.
   
5. The meat & dairy aisles are a good place to spend money on organic products. When buying organic milk, choose 1% fat or higher. Another bonus is that organic milk has a much longer shelf life than traditional processed milk.  Meats & cheeses have so much more flavor when they're not chock full of hormones & preservatives. The difference is quite amazing.  Not to mention, less processing means more nutrients in the food for your body to absorb
6. Convenience food & snacks. Ok here is a section that will destroy your wallet. I love a lot of organic snacks, but just like with grocery shopping anywhere, all these extras add up super fast.  Yes there may be less chemicals in them than traditional processed snacks, but they still cost extra money. Instead, why not just make some cookies yourself with all natural ingredients. It will cost you a little bit of time instead of money.
7. Aluminum foil. This isn't a food item but its an item we use to make food. Buy recycled. The damage to the earth to harvest aluminum is unreal. Its a completely recyclable resource. We have more available above ground then generations to come will ever use. Mainstream companies like Reynolds are offering recycled aluminum foil as a product now. Its available in most grocery and super stores.  And when you're done with the foil don't throw it away, recycle it.(they will accept it in your curbside pick up)
   

I learned a smart trick years ago from my mom about grocery shopping. She said to me, shop around the outside edges of the store (thats where the veg, dairy, meat are). All the extra stuff you don't really need is in the middle. The same rule applies for organic shopping on a budget.

One last tip: remember your reusable shopping bags.  Some stores, like Trader Joe's, enter you in a drawing for free groceries each time you bring your own bags. Other stores offer a small discount off your total bill.

If you stick with the basics when it comes to shopping for organic products you'll find it leaves a much smaller hole in your wallet.