Can’t afford organic? You’re not alone! Organic food can be very expensive, and for those of us on a budget, it’s often more of a luxury than the norm.
However, it doesn’t mean that you have to cut out organic foods completely. Yesterday I talked about six tips to help you afford organic food, even on a budget. Tonight, I’m back with six more tips to help you afford organic foods!
Stick to Seasonal Produce
You can save a ton of money on fruits and vegetables just by sticking to seasonal produce. Since it’s much more readily available, seasonal produce is generally less expensive. For instance, you’ll probably find it much harder to afford organic strawberries in the middle of winter as opposed to June. Not sure what’s in season? Check out this list on About.com!
Make Friends With Local Farmers
If you can’t become a farmer yourself, the next best thing is to befriend a local farmer. While not all farmers in your area will have food certified as organic by the FDA, many will adhere to the same basic rules and procedures. Produce, eggs, meat, and poultry grown and raised by local farmers is often done so with fewer (if any) chemicals, pesticides, and antibiotics than their commercial counterparts. It’s also usually much less expensive.
Shop With a Plan
Stepping into the grocery store without a plan is a recipe for disaster when you’re on a budget, let alone trying to afford organic food! Before you go shopping, take a look at the local stores’ circulars for that week. Make a meal plan based on what organic items are on sale that week, and shop with a list.
Give Coupons a Try
In the past few years, coupons for organic foods have become more and more common. Try scanning the weekly coupon inserts or checking on your favorite brands’ websites for printable coupons. You can also sometimes find coupons for organic foods on the Coupons.com, Red Plum, an Smartsource websites.
Cook From Scratch
If you’re trying to afford organic foods, you’ll most likely find that prepackaged foods are more expensive than raw materials. Instead of spending an insane amount for organic granola bars, for instance, you can save a bundle by investing in some organic granola in the bulk section and a few other ingredients to make your own.
Concentrate on What You Can Do
Finally, don’t beat yourself up if you can’t afford all organic foods for your family. Just concentrate on making wholesome healthy choices and be proud of yourself when you find an awesome deal on organic foods!
What other tips do you have to afford organic foods?
