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Photography: Farmers’ Market by Natalie Maynor

Shopping for organic produce and products can quickly add up. Help cut costs and save while taking advantage of fresh fruits and vegetables that are natural, in-season, sun-ripened, less traveled, and chemical-free, and feel good about eco-friendly products that contribute to the health of our environment.

1. PLANT A GARDEN

Got space in the backyard or on a windowsill? A packet of organic seeds will quickly pay for themselves with healthy natural food. Consider growing your own foods when possible, especially the foods you find most expensive or hard to find.

2. FARMERS’ MARKETS

No matter where you live, there will mostly likely be a farmers’ market nearby. Arrive with a flexible palate and explore all the local, in-season and specialty foods that can generally be purchased below the price you would pay at a local supermarket. You will experience all the fresh natural foods and big savings too.

Visit Local Harvest to find a farmers’ market in your area.

3. JOIN A CO-OP OR CSA

Food cooperatives or co-op’s are member-owned businesses that provide its members with local organic food at discount prices. Another membership owned program is Community Supported Agriculture [CSA]. Each member pays a share of the farm’s expenses and receives a weekly portion of its crops. Both are great ways to support farming communities and eat organic for less.

Visit Local Harvest for a list of co-ops and CSA’s near you.

4. BUY LOCAL AND SEASONAL FOODS

I’d rather by local and most often do. When we eat what is local and in season, we eat the foods most available of a particular season and because it is abundantly available, it is least expensive. Aspire to be a locavore.

5. SHOP SALES

Many stores offer weekly sales flyer announcing which items and brands are offered at lower prices. Don’t over look coupon offers. It amazes me how much money one can save by presenting a coupon. Coupons are available to download from manufacturer Web sites, on product packaging, in the sales flyers, in magazines, newspapers, and at many natural food stores.

6. BUY IN BULK

If you don’t already you might consider shopping the no-frills bulk bin section or buying at bulk discount for great saving.

I always visit the bulk bins at natural health stores to purchase organic raw nuts, seeds and some legumes. The stores buy these staples in volume, the price per pound drops, and this means better prices for consumers like you and me. Besides saving money, I buy exactly the amount what I need or want for a recipe or simply to stock up.

Most stores offer a bulk discount for a case or large quantity of a single item, such as a 25 pound bag of organic carrots, a great buy for those who juice a lot, or a big bag of organic lemons, oranges or apples. Buying the essentials you always needs, like cold-pressed organic olive oil, recycled paper items, organic produce makes great sense and great savings.

You can also find bulk deals online and at farmers’ markets. Consider purchasing cases of food and divide all the wonderful food scored at rock bottom prices with family and friends.

7. SHOP ONLINE

Organic produce and products is a mousse click away and ships nationally and sometimes internationally, right to your door. Don’t forget to check if the online store offers discount coupons or bulk sales.

8. CLUB SAVINGS CARD

Many supermarkets and warehouse clubs offer a bonus card program and both places also carry a variety of organic food and eco-friendly household items. These cards can mean big saving at the register.

9. ADD VALUE TO BULK PURCHASES

Freezing, dehydrating, and canning part of the surplus of seasonal foods adds even more value to your purchase and allows you the luxury of consuming out-of-season fruits and vegetables throughout the year without spending a fortune.

10. EAT SMALLER PORTIONS

Nutrients are what fill you up not the size of the meal, according to recent studies that have shown organic produce gives a higher nutrient content than its conventional counterpart. In other words, it is the quality not the quantity that is important. Eating smaller portions of the right type of food that sustain and satisfy you saves money. If you haven’t experienced getting full and feeling satisfied on nutrient rich food, drink a nutrient rich smoothie.

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Do you have any money saving ideas, tips, or suggestion to share for affordable organic food and products?

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5 Comments so far

  1. Michael Hofferber on August 10, 2008 Sunday, 9:36 am

    Buy direct from the producer as much as possible. The price is usually lower and you’ll be investing in the producer rather than the wholesaler or retailer (i.e., middleman). You’ll also have a better idea of where your food is coming from and how it is grown or raised and processed. Buying direct at a local farmers market is best, but when the market is closed or inconvenient, you can still find direct-selling producers willing to ship or deliver. See our Buy Direct Directory for sources.

    Thank you Michael for your response and the link to Farmers Market Online. What a great idea to offer a farmers’ market online!

  2. hihorosie on August 11, 2008 Monday, 1:09 pm

    Excellent ideas! As you know we have a garden which is starting to produce. One of the benefits of being part of a community garden is some of the other gardeners share their bounty with us so hubby made off with an armload of beets. :) We also try to shop at the local farmer’s markets and we like buying in bulk too if we can.

    Thanks for the great list of tips!

    Your welcome Heidi! I wasn’t aware you are part of a community garden. That is great! How lucky you are to have fresh garden grown beets. I love beets. What will you make with them?

  3. Yogi Zen Dude on August 12, 2008 Tuesday, 10:40 am

    Simple, Awzum advice !!!****** =)

    Thank you so much !!!****** =)

    I am going to search my area for a co-op now. Plus I am going to explore online for where I can get some things like Seaweed/Sea Vegetables in Bulk =)

    Blessing’s of Peace…Love…Joy…And Infinite Abundance !!!****** =)

    Greg – You are so welcome! I’m happy you found the tips useful. I’ll be sure to pass along any information on good online sources for bulk goodies. Many blessing to you my friend.

  4. hihorosie on August 13, 2008 Wednesday, 10:03 am

    Well, for now the beets are being juiced. Greens included. They are so good! My husband is juicing now so maybe when he’s done we’ll experiment more with them. Maybe raw
    raviolis?

    Heidi – Mmm raw raviolis sound good. The beet greens are so very good for you. Here are a few recipe ideas you and your hubby might like to try ~ these are from my other site : Red Beet Salad with Tarragon Vinaigrette, this one is absolutely delicious (if I do say so myself) Winter Nori Roll and Beet Orange Soup. Can you tell I love beets! Also I’ll email you are another recipe featuring yummy beets.

  5. Buying organic can be affordable « EcoCasa on February 25, 2009 Wednesday, 9:10 am

    [...] 3. Raw Epicurean - http://rawepicurean.net/2008/08/10/affordable-organic-foods-and-products-ten-money-saving-tips-and-i… [...]

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