Orgainc Buying Tips

I have been getting All You Magazine for a couple of months!  It is FULL of $$ saving coupons.  Here are some ideas on buying Organic on a budget.  These are taken from page 20 in All You, Issue 3 March 26, 2010

1.  Prioritize your Purchases:

• Buy the organics that have the highest persticide residue.  
• Peaches, apples, bell peppers, celery, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, kale, lettuce, grapes (imported), carrots, pears

• The Safe veggies/fruits to buy conventional:
• onions, avocados, sweet, corn (frozen), pineapples, mangoes, asparagus, sweet peas, kiwis, cabbage, eggplant, papayas, watermelons, broccoli, tomatoes, sweet potatoes

• Skip packaged and canned organics.  

• Cook from scratch using organic ingredients

• Organic lentils, rice, flour, oatmeal, dried fruit and beans cost less in bulk.

2. Be strategic with Meat Dairy

• Eat less meat, stretch your meat further in several meals.
• You can stock up on milk when it is on sale...you can freeze it.  Just pour out a little as it expands.  Let it sit in your sink over night to thaw, then shake it up.
• Products labeled "no antibiotics" are cheaper alternative to organic meat and dairy.

3.  Use Coupons
Here are some places to get organic coupons

• mambosprouts.com/coupons
• deliciouslivingmag.com/coupons
• organicvalley.com/coupons
• stonyfield.com/coupons
• wholefoodsmarket.com/coupons
• healthesavers.com 

***Many manufactures' coupons work for conventional items work on organic items also.  It may not specify this, but they will work.***

4.  Join your local food co-op

5.  Have produce delivered

• Community-supported agriculture programs are a way to buy fresh produce.
• You pay a fee to a local farmer and you get a box of vegetables weekly.

6.  Skip the Middle Man

• Buy directly from the source at a farmers market.
• Shop farmers market at the end of the day, you may be able to negotiate or score some deals

7.  Shop your Freezer in Winter

• Stock up on Frozen varieties of Organics when on sale.

8.  Tend a Garden

• You can even do containers if you don't have room to have one in your yard, I have a square foot garden and I love it.  Last year was the first one I did at my house and it turned out great.  I am growing more this year!

9.  Buy the House Brand

• Buy the supermarket brand of Organics

10.  Check Out Warehouse Clubs

• Shop with a friend and split your purchase.

These were some suggestions, if you have more add a comment.  I'm not sure about Sam's Club or Costco...but it might be worth checking out if you want to go organic.