Inexpensive Ways To Shop Organic

The following information was provided by www.livingmaxwell.com.

1) BULK BINS
Most people may not realize it but buying nuts, grains, pasta, beans, dried fruit and candy from the bulk bins can save you a significant amount of money. Here is a comparison of food sold in bulk containers vs. that same food sold in small plastic containers across the aisle.

Organic Dried Mango
Bulk Container: $10.99 per Pound
Plastic Container: $16.68 per Pound
Savings: 34%

Organic Popcorn
Bulk Container: $.99 per Pound
Plastic Container: $2.50 per Pound
Savings: 61%

Next time you are in the supermarket, do a quick, price-per-pound comparison.

2) VEGETABLES AT BIG-BOX RETAILERS
Wal-Mart Supercenter and Costco both have a good selection of organic food products. However, head straight to the produce department because that is where you will find the amazingly low prices of vegetables.

3) PRIVATE LABEL PRODUCTS
Several large supermarket chains have their own line of organic food products that are often more competitive in price than well-known national brands. Some of these include: Stop & Shop’s Nature’s Promise, Whole Foods’ 365 Everyday Organic, Publix GreenWise Market, Kroger’s Private Selection Organic and Safeway’s O Organics.

4) FARMERS’ MARKETS AND CSAs
Farmers markets are practically everywhere these days and offer the general public locally-grown, organic food. Because the produce comes straight from the farm and avoids any middlemen, their prices are often much better than most supermarkets. Many farms offer a community-supported agriculture (CSA) program. This program will allow you to purchase a subscription, membership or share in the farm. In return, you will receive a basket of mixed produce on a weekly basis. Or, some farms will give you a discount on all purchases for a growing season.

5) COUPONS
Your best bet is to go directly to the websites of your favorite organic brands or supermarkets. Many of them offer coupons on their homepages, and you can find the list of these sites HERE.

~ “Depending on how we spend them, our food dollars can either go to support a food industry devoted to quantity and convenience and “value” or they can nourish a food chain organized around values — values like quality and health.  Yes, shopping this way takes more money and effort, but as soon you begin to treat that expenditure not just as shopping but also as a kind of vote — a vote for health in the largest sense — food no longer seems like the smartest place to economize.” – Michael Pollan

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