[Photo by Kristin Lloyd, Romilly-sur-Seine, France]
For the past ten years I have been committed to eating organic. Even as a student with a practically non-existent income and now as a mom with three mouths to feed, I have found ways to eat predominantly organic for the same or less than what most people pay for conventional groceries. Basically I have found that if you can afford to buy groceries at all, you can afford to buy organic.
#1 Eat like a farmer
This means three things. First, forget the lemon verbena infused chocolate bars and Thai marinated tofu. If you want to eat organic cheaply, you will have to scratch fancy prepared foods (or for that matter any prepared foods) off the list. You have to learn to cook for yourself using fresh raw ingredients. Second, for the best deals eat what's in season. Just as in an old-fashioned agrarian culture mother nature determines what goes on the dinner table on a given day, I let the affordability and availability of organic produce determine what my family eats. Third, grow your own if you can. Whether you plant window boxes full of basil, a plot in your community garden, or a full-fledged garden in your backyard, it can save you money.
#2 Shop Costco for staple organics
Costco carries many organic staples including dairy, meat, grains, and fresh veggies (click here for a list of organic products at Costco). Not only is it literally half the price of other stores, the quality and freshness of Costco's selection is unbeatable, partly because of high turnover and partly because of rigorous quality checking. They may only offer one type of tomato, but for that reason they make sure it will be the best tasting tomato you have all season. Plus you get to buy in bulk, which means less packaging waste, less trips to buy groceries and more time for everything else on your to do list. They also carry eco-friendly dish soap and detergent and have a strict bring-your-own-bag policy. Costco's organic selection is growing but still lacking when it comes to fresh and dried fruit, nuts, and natural bath and beauty products. For those, see #3 and #4.
#3 Shop Jaffe Brothers online for organic dry goods
We buy all of our organic nuts and dried fruits from an organic dry goods distributor called Jaffe Brothers in Valley Center, California. When comparing with Fresh Direct and Whole Foods we realized that, even factoring in shipping, we save 40-50% on organic raisins, figs, apricots and almonds. Free of sulphur and added sugar, their dried goods are tasty and available in large quantities. They are also a great source for organic dried lentils and beans.
#4 Shop Trader Joe's for natural bath and beauty products
Trader Joe's has the best prices on pure organic oils (e.g. tea tree, almond, and jojoba), natural soaps and shampoos. A favorite is their creamy, delicately scented tea tree oil soap. And after Costco and Jaffe Bros they have the best deals on organic dairy, salad greens, frozen berries, dry goods, and many other staples.
#5 When all else fails there's always Whole Foods
Watching Whole Foods grow exponentially over the past 20 years, I would credit them with making organic foods available in most corners of the U.S. and prompting traditional chains to stock, first a few and later dozens, of organic options. That said, they are designed to make you stop in frequently (with tons of single-use products, small packages and ready-made items) and they are not known for competitive pricing. However when it comes to organic produce they have a larger variety than Costco or Trader Joes. If you limit your Whole Foods purchases to in-season produce and specialty items you are not able to find in #2-4 you can make the most of their selection without overspending.
#6 Prioritize
Most people can find ways to get the things they really want in life. When considering the impact that pesticides have on farm workers and their families who are exposed to them, the environment which shoulders the burden, not to mention your own health and that of your family, I always come back to the same conclusion. Committing to going organic is worth the sacrifice of shopping at several different stores for the best deals and worth the responsibility that comes with awareness.
If you would like to add more organic foods to your diet without going all the way, check out this list of foods your should always buy organic.
