If you don’t look around much there is a good chance that you are paying way too much for organic food than you should. Also, while you may be willing to pay a bit extra for organic food there are few people that can pay the often sky high prices associated with them each and every week. That said it is not impossible to find and purchase affordable and high quality organic food online and offline. If anything you can save quite a bit.
Start with some research
There could be much more organic food choices in your community than you know of. It just takes a bit of research to find these sources out. Almost every state has organic associations and various organizations that will advise on what places you should start your research. You can also use a search engine to type in the name of your state and the word ‘organic’ to find out more.
Make a stop at farmers’ markets
These happen to be an excellent source of fresh local produce. Here you will find freshly picked tomatoes, cucumbers, and oranges etc., all of which taste way better than their supermarket counterparts. These markets are cheaper and happen to be fresher. However, if you don’t see a sign that reads ‘Organic’ at these markets then be sure to ask, because there could be some farmers who are making a switch to more organic farming but may not be approved or certified yet. The best thing you can do to land a great deal is to ask tons of questions.
Purchase a share in community supported agriculture
By purchasing a share in any community supported program you are in fact paying a portion of any local farmer’s operating expenses. So, in return you will receive weekly boxes of often fresh vegetables and fruit with each upcoming harvest. This is probably the easiest way to guarantee that you’re getting farm fresh and organic foods. A local share costs anywhere from $300 to $500 for a 24 to 26 week season. You can also make monthly payments, you can also purchase half share instead of whole.
Become a co-op member
A cooperative is a sort of member owned business which provides products including organic groceries to all its members at a huge discount. A lot of the products you see that line the shelves of co-ops are usually organically grown and a lot of it comes from local farms owned by families. There is an easy signup process and you just need to pay a small fee. You can also volunteer to work in exchange for further discounts on the products you purchase.
Become a member of a buying club
This happens to be a great way to get your hands on some organic food that you want at a low price. When you are a member of a buying club you can get up to a 40% discount off the original retail price of organic fruits and vegetables. You can purchase in bulk and then split it with other members. Most people don’t know about these types of clubs and how much they can save. However, if you have a deep freezer you can buy the in season foods in bulk, slice and then store them in your freezer. A lot of the stuff you purchase can be saved for up to a year if stocked correctly in zip lock bags or air tight containers.
Grow your own fruits and vegetables
If you’re really big on organic produce another sure way of ensuring that you’re getting the best quality with a bit of work is to grow your own. Things like carrots, radishes, cucumbers, and beets are very easy to grow. These can also be grown in a large pot. This is the perfect project for stay at home moms who have the time to dedicate to growing their own fruits and vegetables for the greater good of their family’s health.
Finding food online and offline is very easy but knowing if you’re getting great quality is difficult. Also, you may end up spending a lot on organic food if you don’t watch out. So, the tips above should help you save quite a bit.
Mark is one of the leading authorities on organic food and produce. He currently runs his own organic food online store that caters to people around Australia and which is the best online organic food store.
Image Credit:
Richard Smith
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