Organic Food: Buying Smart at the Health Food Store Articles | Food

By: Cody Greenlaw

Buying organic food at the health food store can cost an arm and a leg, but if you want to enjoy the fresh taste of organic food without the high prices, there’s good news. By shopping around you can enjoy organic foods without busting your monthly food budget. Here are a few tips to get you started enjoying organic food on the cheap.

Tip 1: Avoid buying organics at your “regular” supermarket; you’ll almost always pay more at the big conventional food stores for organic products.

Tip 2: Do your research. You probably have more organic food choices in your area than you realize. Organic organizations are good places to start. A quick search online will help you locate groups in your area.

Tip 3: Two words: farmers' markets. Farmers' markets are good sources of fresh organic produce. And locally grown fruits and vegetable will always taste better than those that have been shipped thousands of miles in the back of a truck.

Tip 4: Purchase shares in a local agricultural CSA, or co-op program. In return for your investment, you’ll receive regular boxes of fresh produce from the upcoming harvest.

Shares in a co-cop or CSA usually go for about $300 to $400 for a 6 month period. It’s well worth the money!

Tip 5: Join buying clubs. This is a really good way to get great organic food on the cheap. Buying clubs usually offer between 30 to 40 percent off the market price.

Tip 6: Buy organic food in bulk. Buying in bulk can stretch your food dollar. For certain items, you can just grab the bulk containers, but make sure you have a cool, dry storage place for beans and lentils, etc.

Tip 7: Buy seasonal produce. The best time to buy any organic produce is the peak of its growing season.

There's more produce toward the apex of a fruit or vegetable’s growing season, and this has a tendency to push prices down. Stock up on your favorite organic veggies and fruits during their high-season.

Tip 8: During the off-season, purchase preserved foods. In the winter, avoid high-priced fresh produce and buy canned or dried fruits, and veggies instead.

Organic peas and corn will hold up well, as will fruits like peaches and berries, to help you through the winter months.

Buying organic food and health food produce doesn’t have to break your piggybank. Shopping smart and particularly, seasonal, will help you enjoy organic foods year-round, while sticking to your food budget.