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Save Money While Buying Organic

Buying organic is important. It’s healthier and supports small farmers. But let’s face it, buying organic can get pricey. I’ve learned a few tricks recently, which are allowing us to shave a bit off our grocery bill.

When it comes to organic dairy, make friends at the supermarket. A short conversation will leave you in the know regarding markdowns. I learned that our market slashes prices when dairy is five days prior to its sell by date. I also learned that these markdowns occur around 2pm daily. Now I hit the store in the late afternoon and check for future dates while I’m there so I know in advance when the new markdowns will arrive. Also, watch in store nutrition magazines and circular for coupons. I just found a $2.00 off 2 organic dairy items, when combined with our store markdowns, I can get two gallons of milk for $1.79 each!

(Image from Angela Vetu at Dreamstime under RF-LL)

For produce, its best to grow your own (preserve what you can for the cold months). Apples and pears will survive a long time in a cool, dry, dark place. We freeze berries (the faster your food goes from plant to frozen is best, allowing the highest level of nutrients to be locked in). Drying foods is another great way to carry them through the cold months. The kids love our summer berry picking outings followed by jam making, freezing and lots of berry eating!

What you can’t grow, purchase local. This allows you to build a relationship with the farmer and to get the best possible prices. Many local farms are spray free/chemical free but do not have the organic certification due to cost. The certified organic label isn’t a requirement when you know the farm and practices! It amazes me what a little networking can do.

We’ve managed to find free (or $1.00 a dozen) eggs. We also get to pick apples, pears and berries galore from other friends (and have tons of wild blackberries around our property). A grandma supplies us with herbs and garlic. Do a little research and see if there is a food co-op in your community. If so, join it!

Watch company websites for discounts, sign up for email lists. Coupons are very handy when you are purchasing foods that cost a bit more. Also, check your warehouse stores for bulk organic items. Be sure to compare prices before jumping in and of course, never buy a larger quantity than your family can consume.

So, to recap…

  • Watch markdowns. Learn when markdowns happen.
  • Grow your own produce
  • Buy from local, chemical free farms
  • Network
  • Join a co-op
  • Preserve during growing months (freeze, can, dry)
  • Watch for coupons (online and in store)

Eat well. Be well.

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Comments

  1. Annie @ PhD in Parenting says

    February 2, 2009 at 11:31 am

    Those are great tips, especially with regards to finding out when things get marked down.

    I wrote up my 10 tips for going “organic on the cheap” on my blog: http://www.phdinparenting.com/2008/07/24/organic-on-the-cheap/

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. sage | green frugal parenting » Blog Archive » sage reads: february 4 says:
    February 4, 2009 at 4:16 am

    […] Child’s Play covers the Save Money while Buying Organic angle while managing to bring up a few things I hadn’t thought of. I already shop frequently […]

    Reply
  2. Boy Had 11 Tumors…Did Alternative Therapy Work? : Eco Child’s Play says:
    February 6, 2009 at 9:52 am

    […] the little guy would die, they soured the internet and came up with natural, alternative remedies: organic foods and filtered water, detoxing through saunas, and reiki.  They also use altered forms of Western […]

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  3. Mission Organic 2010: Supplying the Organic Demand : Eco Child’s Play says:
    February 14, 2009 at 8:01 pm

    […] it is sometimes frustrating to buy organic when money grows tight. However, there are ways to buy organic on a budget.  At the very least, shift to buying the Dirty Dozen organically grown, or to avoiding […]

    Reply
  4. Pesticides Are Problematic for Older Kids, Too : Eco Child’s Play says:
    July 22, 2009 at 5:59 am

    […] you may be chem-free at your house, but this is all the more reason to go organic for any produce you can—and know what the farms near you use on their […]

    Reply
  5. Dude, What’s On My Food?! says:
    December 14, 2009 at 9:40 pm

    […] end up on EWG’s list doesn’t mean that it’s free and clear. Certainly not organic, in most cases! An average American child gets 5+ servings of pesticides in their food and water […]

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  6. Teaching Young Children to Go Green says:
    November 13, 2010 at 8:06 am

    […] Meals—While at the grocery store or farmer’s market make shopping more fun by explaining to them why you buy organic and local food items. […]

    Reply

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About Eco Child’s Play

Our ethos is to provide news, information, and opinions on natural, green parenting to help your family live a greener, healthier life! Additionally, we offer personal consulting services to help you achieve your green living goals.

Jennifer is a vegetarian, yoga teacher, gardener, hiker, teacher, and mother that has been living off-the-grid for over 20 years.

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