Switching to organic produce can help families financially by preventing illnesses linked to harmful pesticides, chemicals and genetic modifications. Purchasing quality, organic produce can sometimes put a strain on a family’s grocery budget though. With the right information, one can typically afford safe, healthy food even when on a very tight budget. Below are a few ideas to help save money on fresh, organic produce.
Maneuver Around Daily Sales
Organic fruits and vegetables go on sale whenever they have reached their peak of ripeness, which means they will have to be eaten within a day or two, or frozen to maintain their freshness. Their ripeness allows for their immediate use, which is great for families on-the-go. Instead of buying food items for specific meals, save money by preparing meals with whatever happens to be on sale.
Purchase Seasonal Selections
Buying produce when they are not in season means they had to travel farther in order to reach your table. These less-than-fresh selections will be more costly due to the higher transportation cost. Selecting fruits and vegetables that are in-season is both a healthier and more frugal option.
Buy In Bulk
When produce is on sale, or is more affordable because it is in season, buying in bulk and freezing the excess can help you save money in the long run. Sometimes, grocery stores and farmer’s markets will have special deals for produce sold in bulk. The deals are greatest when you can find seasonal, ripe fruits and veggies that are being sold at a reduced price as a bulk product.
Coupons
Although organic coupons can sometimes be found on the major coupon websites, organic produce coupons can be a little harder to find. One place to start looking is on organic company websites and Facebook pages. Other sources are health food coupon sites such as Mambo Sprouts, Saving Organically and Organic Deals. Sometimes you can even find organic produce coupons on websites for stores such as Target and Whole Foods. Combining store coupons with manufacturer coupons allows for even greater cost savings.
Other sources are health food coupon sites such as Mambo Sprouts, Saving Organically and Organic Deals. Sometimes you can even find organic produce coupons on websites for stores such as Target and Whole Foods. Combining store coupons with manufacturer coupons allows for even greater cost savings.
Supporting Local Farmers
Farmers’ markets allow you to meet local farmers and understand the methods they use when tending to your food. Farmers often offer both ripe and unripened varieties, separately or in bulk. Organic food co-ops allow you to purchase a weekly box full of seasonal produce from a group of local farmers, which allows for the opportunity to play with produce you may not have even known exists, and creatively use staple foods in new ways.
Grow Your Food
One of the most affordable ways to enjoy seasonal, organic food is to grow it yourself. Tight on time? Start with low-maintenance crops such as herbs and perennial plants. Urban and community gardens allow you to split your time with others within your community, as you all grow your own sustainable food together.
If you don’t have a yard of your own, you can also grow plants indoors in pots, window-sill containers and even egg cartons! Need more space? Grow plants vertically on a wall, fence or board. Once you get started, you’ll have a bounty of organic produce for the price of the original plant!
With so many ways to save, it doesn’t have to be difficult for a family to afford organic produce. You won’t just be saving money, you’ll also be helping the environment and your health by supporting organic companies and local farmers.
-The Alternative Daily
Sources:
http://www.thesimpledollar.com/the-vegetable-train-six-ways-we-save-money-with-fresh-produce
http://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-food/new-ways-to-save-money-on-fresh-produce
http://foodbabe.com/2013/05/20/how-to-eat-organic-on-a-budget
