Tips for Buying Organic on a Budget

Planning & Saving, Shopping Savings
on September 10, 2012

Organic food not only offers higher levels of nutrients, but also tastes great thanks to the well-balanced land that grows strong, healthy plants. In addition, organic produce minimizes risk for certain health complications like cancer. While all food grown on land is washed thoroughly, some tend to keep residuals of chemicals and pesticides that, when ingested, can cause serious health conditions. These are only a few of the many reasons why you should buy organic food.

Unfortunately, the freshness and added health benefits of organic food can come with a higher price tag. Since they are harvested in specialized facilities and require more manual labor to grow, organic food can be costly. Nonetheless, there are ways to buy organic food on a tight budget. Below are 6 tips to keep in mind whenever you are buying organic on a budget. Used properly, these tips will help in saving money and cutting costs.
Research for sources of organic foods. In some areas, sellers of organic food are quite scarce, limiting your options to purchase fresh and organic produce. Nonetheless, doing some homework can greatly broaden your options. You may be missing out on a few local merchants and markets that sell these particular products. Make sure to visit organic clubs and organizations within your vicinity.
Buy organics at farmer’s markets. Farmer’s markets are ideal sources for fresh produce that are harvested locally. Buying at farmer’s markets will ensure that your organic foods taste great and fresh. When you find a local farmer’s market but don’t see any signs that they are indeed organic, make sure to ask first before hopping to your next option. Some farmers may be transitioning to organic produce, yet hasn’t been able to get full certification approval yet.
Enlist in a co-op. A food cooperative is a member-owned and operated business offering goods at discounted prices. And many of these goods they offer are organic. Food cooperatives are able to sell goods in a much lower price since they source it from local farms who also sell the goods in bulk at a cheaper price. Joining a food cooperative is as simple as registering and paying some fees.
Enlist in a buying club. People buying organic food on a budget can also try their luck on a buying club. A buying club allows you to save up to 45% off the original price. Buying club members purchase organic produce and other food items in mass and then divide the supply depending on who ordered what. If you can’t find a buying club within your vicinity, it is possible to start your own club with interested friends and neighbors.
Purchase in bulk. Bulk buying is one of the oldest tricks in the book for saving money. And this doesn’t exclude organic food. Purchasing beans, legumes, lentils and other organic food in bulk amount will yield significant cost savings. However, it is important to consider how you will store your supplies. Organic food tend to get spoiled easily, considering there are no preservatives prolonging its shelf life. Make sure you have space on your fridge to store the items while you find no need for it yet.
Time your purchases. There are certain parts of the year where organic fruits and vegetables drop in price due to the large supply. And one of the best times to do so is during the peak of growing season. If you desire saving money on your organic foods, it is ideal to purchase big in-season to take advantage of the low prices.
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