Fru-Gal Friends

Subject: Organic on a budget Tue 25 Mar 2008, 1:37 pm

Organic on a Budget
Few people would dispute that organic food is healthier or safer than its conventional
counterparts. So why isn't every American cupboard and refrigerator filled with
organics? Because we think we can't afford it!

Buying organic on a budget is not an oxymoron if you know where to look. While few
American families can afford to fill their carts with $5 organic spaghetti sauce and
$10 free-range chicken, many of these households aren't paying full price to begin
with. Most buyers have money-saving strategies learned from Mom and honed over
years of weekly grocery shopping. Organic grocery shopping requires another set of
skills and a whole new attitude toward healthy food.

Shop Around: Because organic eating is still a relatively new movement, you may
need to hit several stores to stay in your budget. When I moved to small town
Washington a year ago, I would have sworn that organics were simply not available
in my area. Now I know that the local store around the corner regularly runs sales on
natural and organic meats, that our farmer's market is filled with cheap and organic
produce, and that our Costco has cheap organic grains hidden beside the tower
o'flour. To save fuel, I have started keeping an empty ice chest in my trunk so I can
pop in to stores when I pass them on other errands.

Point and Click: Many national organic brands offer free samples or coupons on
their websites. Some even offer printable coupons--a boon to frugalites because
they take up zero space and can be printed in any quantity you need. The next time
there is a sale on a major organic brand, you may be able to stock your cupboard
with very little cash or even for free.

Grow Your Own: Your yard may not sport a USDA Certified Organic sticker, but you'll
know exactly what went on those veggies. Feeling less ambitious? Try an herb
garden or a small pot of your favorite over-priced veggie on a windowsill or porch.
Zoning ordinances and a squeamish husband prevent me from growing my own
meat, so I buy a section of a cow from a local organic farmer who sells to
consumers. It took me a year of asking around to find him, but now my freezer is full
of chemical-free, quality beef that cost less than $2 a pound.

Be Creative: Don't limit yourself to traditional grocery stores. I put in a monthly order
with Azure Standard, where shipping is totally free if you live on the route. Amazon
has great sales--sometimes up to 90% off!--although their full prices will be out of
reach for most families. Even industry behemoths like Target are reaching out to the
organic customer.

Plan meals around ingredients that can be found cheaply. Organic meats tend to
be expensive; organic beans are almost as cheap as conventional. Organic cold
breakfast cereals run around $5 a box in my town; organic hot cereals cost $2 a
pound when bought in bulk. In both cases, the cheaper choice is a healthier one!

Consider not just cost-per-pound, but the cost-per-nutrient. Conventional foods
keep costs down by adding fillers and unhealthy ingredients. Whole and organic
foods, even those that cost slightly more, are a better deal because you are getting
more actual food for your money.

Start small. Unless your last name is Hilton, do not replace everything in your
cupboard on one credit-card-busting trip. Instead, pick up a bunch of organic
bananas instead of regular and try making organic whole wheat pancakes for
breakfast instead of Kavity Krispies. Once those changes are second nature, add
more good habits. Before you know it, your family will be eating healthier without any
strain on your checking account.

Are you ready for a cleaner life? Are you concerned about the environment? Fueling
your family with high quality foods can help both causes in one simple step. With
creative planning and a little foot work, your diet will be healthier even as you do your
part to keep pesticides and dangerous chemicals out of our water and air. Eating
organic is a win-win situation--for our children and our planet!
_________________
Vicki

Subject: Re: Organic on a budget Tue 25 Mar 2008, 1:52 pm

We bought some organic peanut butter. It is a lot lower in sodium than regual BP, but higher in saturated fat. So, is this really healthier? It is very confusing.

I have to admit, though, we bought some organic bananas and the taste and texture far surpassed that of regular bananas. We're checking into buying our chicken from a local farmer, too.

Subject: Re: Organic on a budget Tue 25 Mar 2008, 2:18 pm

Sissy I have always been confused about that also. Does anyone know the answer?
_________________
Vicki